The body can normally withstand large increases in temperature—mostly due to sweating which helps to cool us down—but our cooling system can fail during the summer months, when heatstroke is most common.
Without proper hydration or periodically cooling ourselves down the body’s core temperature can rise to dangerously high levels. Heatstroke is a medical emergency. If left untreated, organ failure can occur, putting you at serious risk of medical complications or even death.
The vast majority of these deaths are preventable. It is critical for seniors, small children, and those who participate regularly in outdoor activities, such as construction workers and athletes, to stay cool.
Preventing heat-related illness can save an average of 702 lives per year.