03/28/2024
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National Heat Awareness Day is observed each year on the last Friday in May.  Resulting in numerous fatalities each year, heat is one of the leading weather related killers in the United States.

  • 1980 – Heat wave claimed 1,250 lives
  • 1995 – Heat wave claimed more than 700 lives in Chicago (the deadliest weather event in Chicago history)
  • 2003 – August, record heat wave in Europe claimed an estimated 50,000 lives

Most American summers see heat waves in one or more parts of the United States.  Some parts combine high temperatures and high humidity however some of the worst heat waves have been dry.

The following advisories may be issued from the National Weather Service:

  • Excessive Heat Outlooks
  • Excessive Heat Watches
  • Excessive Heat Warning/Advisories

There are precautions that can be taken when weather heat advisories are issued:  stay hydrated (drink lots of water), avoid alcohol, caffeine drinks and extra sugar,  avoid over exertion and find a cool place to stay in.

For more weather safety information and first aid and safety tips, see:

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/heat/index.shtml

http://www.weather.gov/safety

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