Look It Up Heat Stroke During very hot weather, it's important to be aware of the signs of a heat stroke, especially in children and the elderly. According to the American Red Cross, heat-related illnesses come in stages. At first, you may experience muscle cramps. Over the past two decades, at least 7421 deaths that occurred in this country were attributed to excessive heat exposure. On average, approximately 300 people die each year from exposure to heat.
Air conditioning provides the most protection from heat exposure and heat-related deaths.
However, some people may be fearful of high utility bills and limit their use of air conditioning. Such action can place people who are already at risk for heat illness at increased risk. According to the National Center for Environmental Health, several factors affect the body's ability to cool itself during extremely hot weather. When the humidity is high, sweat will not evaporate as quickly, which prevents the body from releasing heat quickly. Other conditions that can limit the ability to regulate temperature include old age, obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, poor circulation, sunburn, and drug and alcohol use.