Heat-related emergencies are happening more often every year in Colorado. Changes in our climate are causing people to be exposed to higher temperatures and worse air quality. Extreme heat events are lasting longer, happening more often, and becoming more intense because of climate change.
According to the National Center for Environmental Information, Colorado broke 350 temperature-related records and tied an additional 165 in 2023. Many of these events are due to burning fossil fuels, such as coal and gas. When we burn fossil fuels, we release carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere and CO2 builds up in the atmosphere and causes the earth’s temperature to rise.
Different parts of Colorado experience extreme heat in different ways, but it can be dangerous for many people, especially groups like residents of long-term care facilities or those with special healthcare needs. The National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network keeps track of how many days each county in Colorado has had temperatures over 90 degrees. They also review hospital and emergency department data to see how many people are getting sick from the heat. According to the CDC, in 2022, heat-related illnesses in Colorado resulted in 494 people visiting an emergency department, 60 people being hospitalized, and 10 deaths.
Weather and geographic factors that increase the impact of heat include:
- Direct sun on buildings or people.
- Wind, which increases dehydration.
- Overnight minimum heat index — houses and buildings that do not have air conditioning will not cool down if the overnight minimum heat index remains above 75-80° and the area goes into a second hot day.
- Successive days of heat with high nighttime temperatures are extremely dangerous
- Urbanization — more concrete, less green — impacts temperatures, particularly at night.
- Early season heat — a heat index of 95-100° will impact people in May and June, whereas later in the summer it may take a heat index of 100-105° for the same effect. People modify their behavior after being affected by it and are less likely to be impacted again.
Hot days have also been associated with worse pregnancy and birth outcomes, and more emergency department visits and hospitalizations for many reasons. Some of these heat related health risks include:
- An increased risk of hospitalization for heart disease.
- Heat exhaustion, which can lead to heat stroke if not treated, can cause critical illness, brain injury, and even death.
- Worsening asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as heat increases the production of ground-level ozone.
- Dehydration, which can lead to kidney injury and blood pressure problems. Some kidney damage can become irreversible with repeated or untreated injury.
- Violence, crime, and suicide may increase with temperature, adding to the rates of depression and anxiety already associated with climate change
- Some medications increase the risk of heat-related illness. These include diuretic medicines (sometimes called “water pills”), antihistamine medicines (including many allergy medicines), and many antipsychotic medicines used to treat a variety of psychiatric and neurologic illnesses.
People at elevated health risk from extreme heat exposure according to NIHHIS and CDC include those who:
- Have increased exposure (e.g., are experiencing homelessness, are emergency responders, are athletes, and/or work outdoors, or indoors with insufficient cooling);
- Have increased biologic sensitivity (e.g., are under age 5; are age 65 or over; are pregnant; and/or have chronic health conditions such as a mental health condition, diabetes, or cardiovascular condition); and/or
- Face high socioeconomic burden and/or additional barriers to accessing cooling or healthcare (e.g., are low income, live in a low resource community, and/or have one or more disabilities).
Consider the below safety measure to protect yourself in extreme heat:
Sun Protection
- Use Sunscreen: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to all exposed skin, even on cloudy days. Reapply every two hours, or more often if swimming or sweating.
- Wear Protective Clothing: Long-sleeved shirts, wide-brimmed hats, and UV-blocking sunglasses can significantly reduce sun exposure. Look for clothing labeled with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF).
- Seek Shade: The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Stay in the shade during these hours whenever possible. Use umbrellas, trees, or shelters to minimize direct sun exposure.
Staying Hydrated
- Drink Plenty of Water: Aim to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily, and more if you are active or spending time in the heat. Carry a reusable water bottle to make it easier to stay hydrated.
- Avoid Sugary and Alcoholic Beverages: These can lead to dehydration. Opt for water, herbal teas, or beverages with added electrolytes.
- Eat Hydrating Foods: Fruits and vegetables like watermelon, cucumbers, oranges, and strawberries have high water content and can help keep you hydrated.
Staying Safe in the Heat
- Know the Signs of Heat-Related Illness: Symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, headache, and fainting. Seek medical attention if you or someone else exhibits these signs. Older adults, children and pets are at higher risk of experiencing heat related illness.
- Plan Outdoor Activities: Schedule strenuous activities for the cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or evening. Take frequent breaks in the shade or indoors. Keep in mind that dogs are hotter than you, and should be exercised at cooler hours of the day, with lots of water breaks.
- Use Fans and Air Conditioning: Stay cool by using fans, air conditioning, or cool showers. If you don’t have air conditioning, visit public places like shopping malls or libraries.
- Do not leave children or pets unattended in the outdoors, or in the car. No amount of time in a vehicle is safe for children or pets without proper air conditioning and supervision. Heat stroke can occur quickly, and after just 20 minutes on an 80-degree day, the CDC says the inside of a car can hit 109 degrees Fahrenheit. After 40 minutes, it hits 118 degrees, and after an hour, it can hit 123 degrees.
- Check out https://cdphe.colorado.gov/health-facilities/emergency-preparedness/extreme-heat-resources-and-references and https://www.cdc.gov/heat-health/about-heat-and-your-health.html for more information!