Heat can be Deadly

Heat is one of the leading weather-related killers in the United States, resulting in hundreds of fatalities each year, reports the National Weather Service. Heat can be very taxing on the body and everyone is vulnerable to heat, but some more so than others.  Young children and infants are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness and death, as their bodies are less able to adapt to heat than adults.  Older adults, particularly those with pre-existing diseases, who take certain medications, are living alone or with limited mobility who are exposed to extreme heat can experience multiple adverse effects.  People with chronic medical conditions are more likely to have a serious health problem during a heatwave than healthy people.  Pregnant women are also at higher risk. Extreme heat events have been associated with adverse birth outcomes such as low birth weight, preterm birth, and infant mortality, as well as congenital cataracts.  In addition, it is never safe to leave a child, disabled person, or pet locked in a car. If you have a toddler in your household, lock your cars, even in your own driveway.  Kids play in cars or wander outside and get into a car and can die in 10 minutes.  A reported 24 children died in hot cars in 2020 and 1 toddler already has died in 2021.