(Newswire.net — June 28, 2019) — Summer has barely begun and already many parts of the world are experiencing heatwaves. Some countries, including Poland, Spain, France and Germany have been breaking all-time temperature records. Europeans understand all too well how deadly these heatwaves can be. In 2003, scorching temperatures caused 15,000 people to die in France.
Heatwaves like this don’t just happen in Europe, however. They are also common in the United States, and according to climatologists, deadly heatwaves are going to be happening more frequently. Between 1979 and 2014, more than 9,000 people in the United States died from heat-related causes. If the average temperature continues to rise, so will the numbers of heat-related deaths.
According to a new study, if the average temperature rises by 5.4 degrees F., nearly 6,000 people in New York City will die from the heat. It is also believed that by the year 2100, if greenhouse emissions continue to rise, three out of four people across the globe could be affected by at least 20 days per year of high heat and humidity.
Currently, more than 600 people a year die from extreme heat. There are some people who are at a higher risk of dying in a heatwave. These include the elderly, those with chronic medical conditions, outdoor workers, children, athletes, and those who live in low income households.
While climate change and the increasing temperatures make it seem like a losing battle, there are ways for Americans to protect themselves from the heat. Many cities have cooling shelters for those who do not have air conditioning. For homeowners who do have air conditioning, they need to make sure their unit is working properly before a heatwave hits. Getting a new AC unit is a good idea if the current system is over 15 years old. To find the best AC unit to beat the heat, consumers should search the internet for high performance HVAC heating and cooling reviews.
Along with having access to air conditioning, it’s also important to drink plenty of water. In order to prevent dehydration, health officials recommend drinking half a gallon of water a day. During a heatwave, there are certain activities that should be avoided, if at all possible. These include anything that causes the body to sweat, attending outdoor events, and drinking alcoholic or caffeinated beverages. It’s also important to check on family members, neighbors, and friends who are overweight, elderly, or don’t have AC.