Heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States, resulting in hundreds of fatalities each year. Heat can be very taxing on the body and can lead to heat related illnesses or make existing health conditions worse. Everyone can be vulnerable to heat, but some more so than others. The following groups are particularly vulnerable to heat; check in with friends and relatives who fall in one of these populations, especially if they don’t have air conditioning.
- Young children and infants are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness and death, as their bodies are less able to adapt to heat than are adults.
- Older adults, particularly those who have pre-existing diseases, take certain medications, are living alone or have limited mobility who are exposed to extreme heat can experience multiple adverse effects.
- People with chronic medical conditions are more likely to have a serious health problem during a heat wave than healthy people.
- Pregnant women are also at higher risk. Extreme heat events have been associated with adverse birth outcomes such as low birth weight, preterm birth, and infant mortality, as well as congenital cataracts.
National Weather Service (NWS) safety information on children, pets and vehicles: It is NEVER safe to leave a child, disabled person or pet locked in a car, even in the winter. If you have a toddler in your household, lock your cars, even in your own driveway. Kids may play in cars or wander outside and get into a car and can die in 10 minutes! A reported 39 children died in hot cars in 2024. Deaths routinely are reported as early as April and tragedies continue into December in southern states.
Go to Heat.gov for more information.
