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# How can I prevent heat-related illnesses?
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/heart_disease_0107100714/
- Published: 2010-07-01T20:13:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:22:32.000Z
- Description: Extreme heat means temperatures 10 or more degrees above a region's average high, lasting weeks. Most heat disorders come from overexposure or over-exercising for one's age and condition, and older adults, young children and people who are sick or overweight are the most likely to succumb.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Disease, Health News, #vivvo-import

[Extreme heat](http://www.hhs.gov/disasters/emergency/naturaldisasters/heat/?ref=foodconsumer.org) is defined as temperatures that hover 10 degrees or more above the average high temperature for a region and last for several weeks. An extreme heat hazard occurs when other factors, such as humidity or [drought](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=7508&p%5Fsid=amW3MR3k&p%5Flva=6364&ref=foodconsumer.org), contribute to the high temperatures.

Extreme heat brings with it the possibility of [heat-induced illnesses](http://www.fema.gov/hazard/heat/heat%5Faid.shtm?ref=foodconsumer.org). Conditions that can induce heat-related illnesses include stagnant atmospheric conditions and poor [air quality](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=7195&p%5Fsid=amW3MR3k&p%5Flva=6364&ref=foodconsumer.org). However, most heat disorders occur because the victim has been overexposed to heat or has over-exercised for his or her age and physical condition. Older adults, young children, and those who are sick or overweight are more likely to succumb to extreme heat.

For more information, please visit the following links:

- [The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Extreme Heat web page](http://www.fema.gov/hazard/heat/?ref=foodconsumer.org)
  - Includes information on what to do [before](http://www.fema.gov/hazard/heat/heat%5Fbefore.shtm?ref=foodconsumer.org), [during](http://www.fema.gov/hazard/heat/heat%5Fduring.shtm?ref=foodconsumer.org) and [after an extreme heat hazard](http://www.fema.gov/rebuild/recover/after.shtm?ref=foodconsumer.org).
- [The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Extreme Heat web page](http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/?ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Extreme Heat web page](http://www.epa.gov/naturalevents/extremeheat.html?ref=foodconsumer.org)

**Additional Resources:**

- [FEMA's Extreme Heat Terms](http://www.fema.gov/hazard/heat/heat%5Fterms.shtm?ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Heat Index Calculator](http://www.crh.noaa.gov/jkl/?n=heat%5Findex%5Fcalculator&ref=foodconsumer.org) \- tells how hot it feels when relative humidity is added to the air temperature.
- [Beat the Heat: Tips for Summer Survival](http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cfocus/cfjune2001/focus.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Heat: A Major Killer](http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/heat/?ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [The CDC's Recommendations for Selecting, Applying and Using Sunscreen Correctly](http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5104a3.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Heat Island Effects - Local Temperature Differences](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=7982&p%5Fsid=amW3MR3k&p%5Flva=6364&ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [UV Safety](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=7822&p%5Fsid=amW3MR3k&p%5Flva=6364&ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Skin Cancer](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=7795&p%5Fsid=amW3MR3k&p%5Flva=6364&ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Beach Safety](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=7128&p%5Fsid=amW3MR3k&p%5Flva=6364&ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Wildfires](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=6807&p%5Fsid=amW3MR3k&p%5Flva=6364&ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Global Warming/Greenhouse Effec](http://answers.usa.gov/cgi-bin/gsa%5Fict.cfg/php/enduser/std%5Fadp.php?p%5Ffaqid=6952&p%5Fsid=amW3MR3k&p%5Flva=6364&ref=foodconsumer.org)t

BY USA.gov team