“Don’t burn your hand on it.
Oh, it’s cooking!”
The sun is beating down on you.
Breathing in the dense hot air
is getting harder and harder.
Sweat is pouring down your face.
You begin to feel weak.
If you don't cool yourself down fast,
you could die.
Heat waves are periods of extremely
hot weather.
They occur when high pressure
in the atmosphere forces heat down.
A heat wave can last
anywhere from two days to a few weeks,
but they can have catastrophic effects
on people and communities.
The World Health Organization
considers them to be
"the most dangerous of natural hazards."
The number of annual heat waves
has increased dramatically,
up from an average of two per year
in the 1960s
to six per year over the last decade.
Heat waves can be deadly.
In India, they've killed about
17,000 people in the last 50 years.
“It’s 39 degrees oh my gosh!”
One of the greatest health risks
from a heat wave
is heat exhaustion.
This occurs when your body's
core temperature goes up
past 37 °C (98.6°F).
If left untreated,
heat exhaustion can progress
to heat stroke,
which can damage
your brain and internal organs.
Heat stroke can be fatal
and is considered a medical emergency.
So if it gets to that point,
call the paramedics.
If heat exhaustion does strike,
you may feel a headache,
nausea or weakness.
You could also begin to sweat
more heavily than normal.
To avoid heat-related health risks,
have a plan to keep your body cool.
If possible, avoid direct sun
and opt out of strenuous activity.
These can both drive up
your body temperature.
Stay hydrated,
and wear lightweight
and light-colored clothing.
Drinking ice water can be effective
in releasing warmth from your body,
but dousing or spraying yourself
with cold water
is even better.
But in an emergency, some people
should follow the advice
of better out than in.
Use ice packs or an ice bath
to bring your temperature down fast.
Though this isn't advised
for the elderly or children.
For seniors, jumping into a freezing bath
or applying a cold compress
can result in constricted blood vessels
and a reduction in blood flow
as their core temperature drops.
All of this increases the risk
of cardiac arrest or a stroke.
For kids, it can trigger a sudden spike
in their heart rate
as their body is flooded with adrenaline.
If you're able to stay home,
there are ways to keep your house brisk
even without an air conditioner.
Avoid using incandescent lighting,
which can raise the temperature.
Use blackout curtains
to block the sunlight.
You can also make
a makeshift air conditioner
using a box, fan and a cooler full of ice.
Remember that hot air rises,
so try to hang out in your basement
or lower floors.
When the temperature drops at night,
open the doors and windows
to let the hot air out
and the cool air in.
And don't turn on the oven.
Maybe a salad for dinner?
If you live in a city,
the dangers of extreme heat
are amplified
thanks to a phenomenon
called the urban heat island.
And no, it's not a new reality dating show.
UHI is caused by sunlight
being absorbed by dark roads
and roof surfaces.
This raises the overall temperature
of the area.
Cities also tend to be
mostly composed of concrete,
glass and steel,
and benefit less from a process
called transpiration.
Transpiration is when trees,
grass and other plant life
cool and moisten the air
by pulling water from the ground
and releasing it as vapor.
Cars are also a source of dangerous
heat amplification, especially in cities.
Car exhaust
raises temperatures
and contributes to smog,
which can further trap the hot air
that pushes heat down.
And is there anything worse
than being inside a car on a hot day?
If you find yourself on foot,
make sure to bring
something to protect you from the sun,
such as a brimmed hat or umbrella.
Did you know that some spices
can actually have a cooling effect
on the body?
Fennel and cumin
can both help you cool off,
as well as juices
like watermelon and lemon squash.
In India, the lassi,
made from yogurt, salt and spices,
is a popular drink that provides relief
to many during the country's
frequent heat events.
An added bonus is
it's also pretty tasty.
While summer may be a time for fun,
avoid having too much fun.
Alcohol and caffeinated drinks
are diarretics,
which can cause you to lose
even more water.
Indulging in cocaine
and methamphetamines
are also high-risk activities
during heat waves.
But aren't they always?
Certain beta-blocker medications,
like what you might take for
high blood pressure or a heart condition,
can increase the risk of heat stroke.
Make sure to consult
with your doctor or pharmacist
during extreme weather
if you're not sure
how anything you might be on
can be affected by a jump in temperature.
As the climate continues to change,
heat waves are likely to further increase.
So stay cool
and pay attention to the warning signs.
Heat may be dangerous,
but extreme cold is too.
And just how quickly does frostbite set in?
Find out here.