Heat can kill. That's why Wisconsin Emergency Management and the National Weather Service are reminding people of the dangers associated with extreme heat and to promote safety measures.

Heat is the number one weather-related killer in the United States. From 2000 to 2009, excessive heat claimed an average of 162 lives a year across the country.

In 1995, two major killer heat waves affected most of Wisconsin, resulting in 154 heat-related deaths and over 300 heat-related illnesses. Summer heat waves have been the biggest weather-related killers in Wisconsin for the past 50 years, far exceeding tornadoes and severe storms.

In the summer of 2011, Wisconsin lost five people to heat-related illnesses during the July 18-22 heat wave. A 60 year old man in Fountain Prairie died while helping a family member with outdoor housework. Also an 82 year old woman in Prairie du Chien, a 80 year old man in Marquette County and an 87 year old Reedsburg woman lost their lives in the heat. The Reedsburg victim was found dead in her trailer which apparently did not have air conditioning. And a 65-year-old Sparta woman died on July 23. She did not have air conditioning in her home and she also had an underlying health condition.

1. Never leave children, disabled persons, or pets in a parked car - even briefly. Temperatures in a car can become life threatening within minutes. On an 80-degree day, the temperature inside a car even with the windows cracked slightly can reach 100 degrees in less than 10 minutes! Click here for demonstration of extreme heat in cars (wmv 3Mb)
2. Keep your living space cool. Cover windows to keep the sun from shining in. If you don't have an air conditioner, open windows to let air circulate. When it's hotter than 95 degrees, use fans to blow hot air out of the window rather than to blow hot air on to your body. Basements or ground floors are often cooler than upper floors.
3. Slow down and limit physical activity. Plan outings or exertion for the early morning or after dark, when temperatures are cooler.
4. Drink plenty of water and eat lightly. Don't wait for thirst, but instead drink plenty of water throughout the day. Avoid alcohol or caffeine and stay away from hot, heavy meals.
5. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. Add a hat or umbrella to keep your head cool…and don't forget sunscreen!
6. Don't stop taking medication unless your doctor says you should. Take extra care to stay cool, and ask your doctor or pharmacist for any special heat advice.
7. Taking a cool shower or bath will cool you down. A shower or bath will actually work faster than air conditioner. Applying cold wet rags to the neck, head and limbs also cools down the body quickly.

• Heat Cramps - cramps or muscle spasms in the abdomen, arms or legs.
Solution: Stop activity. Cool down, drink clear juice or sports drink.
• Heat Exhaustion - heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, fainting.
Solution: Cool down, seek medical attention.
• Heat Stroke - extremely high body temperature, red, hot, dry skin, rapid pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, unconsciousness.
Solution: Call 911 and cool the victim with shower or hose until help arrives.

HEAT EXHAUSTION	HEAT STROKE
I. Cause. Depletion of body fluids and electrolytes due to exposure to intense heat or the inability to acclimatize to heat, resulting in prolonged or severe diaphoresis. May progress to heat stroke.	I. Cause. Failure of temperature- regulating mechanism of the body due to prolonged exposure to high temperature.
II. Onset. May develop slowly after exposure to heat for several days and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids and electrolytes.	II. Onset. May develop quickly (within minutes).
III. Similarities Headache Vomiting Dizziness Muscle cramps (arms, legs, abdomen) Fatigue Rapid pulse (tachycardia) Nausea	III. Similarities Headache Vomiting Dizziness Muscle cramps (arms, legs, abdomen) Fatigue Rapid pulse (tachycardia) Nausea
IV. Differences Profuse perspiration Cool, moist skin Rapid respiration Body temperature may be normal, or slightly below normal, or as high as 102.2 degrees F. Possible giddiness	IV. Differences Absence of perspiration Hot, dry, red or mottled skin Slow deep respiration Extremely high temperatures (104 degrees F/40 degrees C or above, rectally) Mental confusion, disorientation, delirium, irrational behavior, feeling of euphoria or impending doom, diminished level of consciousness, loss of consciousness may be abrupt Confusion may occur early or late Signs of shock
V. How to Intervene. Cool fluids, loosen tight clothing, recumbent position, cool shaded environment, elevate legs, transport to medical facility for medical follow up.	V. How to Intervene. Call for transport to medical facility immediately; cool water, sponging, and fluids by mouth if still alert; reduce body temperature to 102 degrees F as rapidly as possible. Transport to medical center for temperature stabilization and prevention/ treatment of complications.

• Older adults
• Infants and young children
• People with chronic heart or lung problems
• People with disabilities
• Overweight persons
• Those who work outdoors or in hot settings
• Users of some medications, especially those taken for mental disorders, movement disorder, allergies, depression, and heart or circulatory problems
• People who are isolated that don't know when or how to cool off - or when to call for help

Click here for demonstration of extreme heat in cars (wmv 3Mb)