The start of summer means hotter, more humid days, and in the Lower Hudson Valley, those days can be dangerous for some.
Summer 2025 is predicted to be a “scorcher of a summer,” according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
It’s never too early to start thinking safety. Read on for information on heat-related illnesses, and how to stay safe in the summer heat.
What is a heat wave?
The prevalence of heat waves has increased in the United States in the last 20 years. The National Weather Service classifies a heat wave as “a period of abnormally hot weather generally lasting more than two days.” Heat waves can occur with or without high humidity, but high humidity tends to bring a heat watch to a heat warning.
Extreme heat can cause serious harm to the human body, especially to vulnerable populations such as children, older adults, pregnant women and people living with chronic illnesses or disabilities.
The National Weather Service says heat-related illnesses are some of the leading causes of death for certain at-risk populations.
What to know about extreme heat risks
The National Weather Service said that extreme heat is one of the “leading weather-related killers” in the U.S., with over 1,000 fatalities every year. Excessive heat in the U.S. can cause serious health issues to at-risk populations, including older people, children, pregnant women, people with chronic medical conditions and low-income or unhoused populations with limited access to places to keep cool.
And as climate change is affecting weather patterns and yearly average temperatures across the country, the risks for weather-related health issues continues to grow.
What are some common heat illnesses and injuries?
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are the two primary heat illnesses in the United States. Heat cramps can also occur if the body is not properly hydrated during extreme weather events.
Any heat-related illnesses, mainly heat exhaustion and heat stroke, can happen at any temperature above 90 degrees.
According to Westchester County Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, the symptoms of heat exhaustion include feeling dizzy, excessive sweating, clammy skin, muscle cramps and nausea.
“This is all your body telling you ‘It’s too hot,'” Amler told reporters in a 2024 interview. “You need to stop what you’re doing, get into a building that’s air conditioned and drink. But if things don’t get better, what we’re really concerned about is heat stroke.”
Amler said the additional symptoms of heat stroke include red, hot and dry skin and a body temperature of over 103 degrees.
“When that happens, you’re in trouble,” she said. “When someone starts getting confused, that’s a 911 call because heat stroke can kill you.”
Amler said in the case of either heat injury, you should remove excessive clothes from the person, try to cool them down by putting wet towels and ice packs on their skin and giving them lots of fluids to drink.
Who is most at risk for heat illnesses?
Children, older people, pregnant women and people with chronic or pre-existing conditions are the most at-risk for heat illnesses.
Amler said the most common and preventable heat injury is leaving children or pets unattended in cars. No amount of time is OK to leave a child or pet in the car, she warned.
Older folks need more care as well, as it can be hard for them to tell how much heat is too dangerous.
“We have to be mindful that older people have less tolerance to heat,” Amler said. “They just don’t feel the heat. They don’t know they’re getting into danger.”
Tips for staying safe in a heat wave
Here are some tips from the National Weather Service to stay safe during a heat wave:
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Summer 2025: How to protect your family from heat-related illness
Reporting by Alexandra Rivera, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
