Heat Stress: How to Stay Safe in Extreme Heat

Warm summer weather can affect people of all ages. Here are some heat safety tips:

• Remember that children are more susceptible to heat stress than adults. Make special efforts to protect children in hot weather by giving them longer rest breaks, fewer work hours per day, fewer work days per week, and adequate amounts of water and fluids.
   
• Know the early symptoms of heat stress: dizziness, fatigue, irritability, and impaired judgment. Failure to recognize them may lead to heat exhaustion or life-threatening heat stroke.
   
• Consider the key elements for controlling heat stress: Enough water to replace the body fluids lost through sweating; gradual acclimatization to hot-weather work; periodic breaks in shaded areas with a breeze or possibly a fan to help cooling; and regular checks of temperature and humidity, with adjusted workloads under stressful conditions.
   
• About 20 percent of people affected by heat stroke die. It is always an immediate, life-threatening medical emergency. Lower a victim’s body temperature rapidly by moving the person to a shady area, cooling the head with wet rags or clothing, and fanning with a towel or piece of cardboard. And seek medical attention immediately.

For additional details on precautions for working in both indoor and outdoor heat, risk factors, first aid, prevention and more, check out the U.S. Department of Labor's official overview and guidelines.