Listen to the Story As You Read It: How
to Survive the Heat
From VOA Learning English, this is Science in the News.
I’m Anna Matteo.
And I’m Christopher Cruise.
Today we talk about hot weather, and the problems it can cause. We also tell you about the best ways to prevent
and treat problems caused by extreme heat.
Heat Waves Can Be Deadly
Floods, storms and other natural events kill thousands of people every year. So does extreme heat. In fact, heat
may be nature’s deadliest killer.
Several hot days that follow each other are considered a heat wave. Experts say heat waves often become
dangerous when the nighttime temperature does not drop much past the highest daytime temperature. This puts
great pressure on the human body.
Extreme heat can be harmful to very young children -- especially when they are left in a car. Every year, there are
news reports about young children dying after they were left inside cars in the summer sun.
Jan Null is a meteorologist -- a weather expert -- at San Francisco State University in California. Since 1998, he
has recorded deaths of children from what medical experts call “vehicular heatstroke.” He says the United States
has an average of 38 such deaths each year of children left alone in cars.
Mr. Null told the USA Today newspaper that the highest number of deaths take place in July and August -- the
two hottest months of the year. He said about nine children die in each of those months because they were left in
a hot car. But he notes that vehicular heatstroke can happen any time of the year. He says a child can die from
the heat after being left in a car when the outside temperature is as low as 14 degrees Celsius.
USA Today reports that 70% of vehicular heatstroke victims were children under the age of two. It says more than
half of the deaths happened because the child’s caregiver forgot the child was in the car. About one-third of the
deaths happened when the child got in the car and was unable to get out of it.
The newspaper notes the temperature inside a car can reach 43 degrees Celsius when the temperature outside
is 14 degrees. And it says the body temperature of a child can increase three to five times faster than adults.
How to Protect Yourself and Others in Extreme Heat
Doctors say people can do many things to protect themselves from the dangers of extreme heat. Stay out of the
sun, if possible. Drink lots of cool water. Wear light-colored clothing, and hats made of natural materials.
Make sure the clothing is loose, permitting freedom of movement. Also, learn the danger signs of the medical
problems linked to heat.
The most-common health problem linked to hot weather is heat stress. Usually, it is also the least severe.
Most people suffer only muscle pain because of heat stress. The pain is a warning that the body is becoming too
hot. Doctors say those suffering muscle pain should stop all activity and rest in a cool place. They should also
drink cool liquids. Doctors say not to return to physical activity for a few hours because serious conditions can