Many people, especially the elderly, resist air conditioners and opt to use fans. People who don't have units in their homes should try to spend part of the day in a mall, library or other air conditioned public area. Heat poses a greater hazard to the elderly, he says, because their temperature regulatory systems are less efficient, and they may not be aware that they are in danger until it is too late. Children have similar weaknesses in heat regulatory systems, and should be watched carefully by adults during summer scorchers. Elderly people accounted for about half of these deaths.
Men are also more at risk than women, the scientists say.
People with chronic heart or respiratory conditions also are at higher risk of getting sick or dying because of hot weather, as are people who live alone, the scientists say. Certain drugs can make heat more dangerous, including antipsychotic medicines, major tranquilizers, tricyclic antidepressants, antihistamines, some over the counter sleeping pills and treatments for Parkinson's disease. Four cases that occurred in Missouri in 1998 were reported by the CDC as typical of the kinds of deaths that might have been prevented. F. The unit was blowing out hot instead of cold air. A middle-aged schizophrenic man, a heavy smoker who had emphysema, also died in July, and was found days later when neighbors complained to police of a foul odor coming from his apartment.