Heat Wave - Extreme Heat

A heat wave is a prolonged period of excessively hot weather, which may be accompanied by high humidity. There is no universal definition of a heat wave; the term is relative to the usual weather in the area. Temperatures that people from a hotter climate consider normal can be termed a heat wave in a cooler area if they are outside the normal climate pattern for that area. The term is applied both to routine weather variations and to extraordinary spells of heat which may occur only once a century. Severe heat waves have caused catastrophic crop failures, thousands of deaths from hyperthermia, and widespread power outages due to increased use of air conditioning.

Links

National Weather Service - Heat Page

Resources for the Elderly

Older Adults: Take Extra Care When the Temperatures Soar!
Older Adults Need to Take Precaution in the Summer Heat
How Do Our Bodies Adjust to Heat Across the Ages?  
Beat the Heat
Tips for Preventing Heat-Related Illness  
Planning for Extreme Heat  
Heat Stress in the Elderly   
Hyperthermia: Too Hot for Your Health

Resources on working when it's hot

Working in these hot conditions is taxing on the body. Be prepared to take care of yourself and others when you work outdoors this summer.
Heat Safety Fact Sheet (OSHA publication: pdf)
Heat Safety Fact Sheet - Spanish version (OSHA publication in Spanish: pdf)
Skin Cancer: Protect Yourself (ACES brochure)
Sun Safe (ACES brochure)
Coping With Hot Work Environments (Extensionón en Español publication, available in English and Spanish) 

Press release on fluids for managing heat

Fluids Important to Managing Heat, Humidity Safely
                   Includes sidebar: Encourage Fluids for Children 

Fact Sheet: Heat Safety Tips on the Farm -

Provided by the Carlen Foundation Hospital Center for Rural Health and Farm Safety (IL)