Beat The Heat Southern Nevada

Beat the Heat

Heat-related illnesses and deaths can be prevented with planning, information and action. It’s essential for people who are working or enjoying outdoor recreational activities in Southern Nevada to protect themselves during the hotter late spring, summer and early fall. And extreme heat events can bring temperatures that are much hotter and/or humid than average and last for days at a time.

What is Heat-Related Illness?

Heat-related illness can occur when your body is not able to properly cool itself. Normally, your body cools itself by sweating. The sweat evaporates and cools your body. During extreme heat, your body may not be able to do this. Extreme heat conditions cause the evaporation process to slow and your body to work harder to maintain a normal temperature.

Populations at greatest risk of experiencing heat-related illness are:

Older Adults (Aged 65+)

Older adults are not able to adjust to sudden changes in temperature as well as younger people.

Infants and Children

Infants and children rely on others to keep them cool and hydrated when it’s hot outside.

Those with Chronic Conditions

People with chronic conditions may be less likely to sense and respond to changes in temperature or be taking medications that can make the effect of extreme heat worse.

Low Income

People in lower-income populations often live in areas that experience higher temperatures or may have less access to air conditioning or indoor areas.

Athletes

Limit outdoor activity. Exercise outside during the early morning hours or in the evening. Avoid the middle of the day when the sun is hottest.

Outdoor Workers

People who work outdoors are more likely to become dehydrated and get heat-related illness.

Pregnant People

Pregnant individual’s bodies are working harder to cool down both their body and their developing baby. They are more likely to get heat exhaustion,

Additional Resources

Older Adults (Aged 65+)

Older adults are not able to adjust to sudden changes in temperature as well as younger people.
They are more likely to have chronic medical conditions that impact their bodies’ response to heat and are more likely to take prescription medications that affect their body’s ability to control temperature when they sweat.

Those with Chronic Conditions

People with chronic conditions may be less likely to sense and respond to changes in temperature or be taking medications that can make the effect of extreme heat worse.
Conditions such as heart disease, mental illness and obesity are risk factors for heat-related illness.

Athletes

Limit outdoor activity. Exercise outside during the early morning hours or in the evening. Avoid the middle of the day when the sun is hottest.
Drink more water than usual. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink more. Muscle cramping may be an early sign of heat-related illness.
Wear sunscreen and reapply as directed on the packaging.
Pace your activity. Start slow and pick up the pace gradually, remembering to continually hydrate while you do.
Use the buddy system. Monitor a teammate’s condition and ask someone to do the same for you.
Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.

Pregnant People

Pregnant individual’s bodies are working harder to cool down both their body and their developing baby. They are more likely to get heat exhaustion, heat stroke or other heat-related illness sooner than nonpregnant people.
Do not engage in very strenuous activities and get plenty of rest during high heat and extreme heat events.
Contact your health care provider if you have additional questions about your health.

Infants and Children

Infants and children rely on others to keep them cool and hydrated when it’s hot outside.
Never leave infants or children in a parked or unattended care, even if the windows are open or the air conditioning is running.
Dress infants in children in loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing, and make sure they are drinking plenty of fluids. Avoid really cold or sugary drinks.

Low Income

People in lower-income populations often live in areas that experience higher temperatures or may have less access to air conditioning or indoor areas.
Be familiar with local resources, including air-conditioned shelters and cooling stations that can provide shelter if needed.
Contact Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)external iconfor help.

Outdoor Workers

People who work outdoors are more likely to become dehydrated and get heat-related illness.
Drink more water than usual. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink more. Muscle cramping may be an early sign of heat-related illness.
Avoid alcohol or sugary beverages.
Wear sunscreen and reapply as directed on the packaging.
Ask if tasks, especially more strenuous tasks, can be scheduled for earlier or later in the day to avoid midday heat.
Wear a brimmed hat and loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
Take breaks and encourage your co-workers to take breaks to cool off and drink water.

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