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Summer is a time for sunshine and outdoor fun, but it also comes with serious dangers, especially extreme heat, which remains the deadliest weather-related hazard in the United States.
During the summer of 2024, 91 million Americans experienced 30 or more "risky heat" days — days with temperatures hotter than 90% of those recorded locally from 1991 to 2020, making them at least twice as likely due to climate change. June 2024 ranked as the second-warmest June on record for the contiguous US, with an average temperature of 71.8°F — 3.4°F above the long-term average.
Yet, according to doctors, public health experts, and meteorologists, this figure likely underrepresents the actual toll, raising concerns that the numbers for 2025 could be even more dangerous.
In this article, we’ll share practical safety tips to help your team prepare for severe summer weather and stay protected as temperatures rise. We’ll also highlight the value of establishing an employee relief fund to support those facing unexpected expenses caused by extreme heat and other summer-related emergencies.
What Are Heat Waves?
Heat waves are prolonged periods of excessively hot weather, often accompanied by high humidity, that significantly exceed the average temperatures for a given region and time of year. They typically last for several days or more and can occur with little warning, posing serious health risks and straining infrastructure.
Unlike sudden storms or floods, heat waves build gradually, making them especially dangerous because their effects can be underestimated. They are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, affecting not only traditionally hot areas but also regions that are less prepared to handle extreme heat.
Over the past decade, heat waves have claimed more lives in the US than any other type of weather-related disaster. Over the last five years, five southern states — areas typically accustomed to high temperatures and seen as well-prepared — accounted for approximately 75% of all heat-related deaths.
Countries around the world are increasingly confronting the growing threat of heat waves, not just in the US. On August 13, 2024, global exposure to extreme heat reached a peak, with 4.1 billion people — half of the world’s population — experiencing temperatures heavily driven by climate change.
As climate change intensifies, heat waves are becoming more frequent, intense, and hazardous. The number of heat waves has steadily increased over the past 30 years, and the trend shows no signs of slowing. Understanding these events and taking proactive steps to reduce their impact is more critical than ever.
The Danger of Heat Waves
Heat waves pose serious and growing dangers to public health, especially as climate change intensifies their frequency and severity. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, and potentially fatal heatstroke, particularly among vulnerable populations such as the elderly, young children, outdoor workers, and individuals with chronic health conditions.
In addition to physical health risks, heat waves can strain power grids, increase wildfire risk, and worsen air quality, compounding respiratory and cardiovascular issues. As urban areas trap more heat through the "urban heat island" effect, the need for heat preparedness and resilient infrastructure becomes increasingly urgent to prevent widespread harm.
Understanding the dangers of extreme heat and taking steps to prepare are more critical than ever. Below are expert-recommended tips that you can share with your team to help ensure safety and resilience during heat waves.
Extreme Heat Safety Tips to Share With Your Team
As temperatures rise, ensuring team safety is paramount. By sharing the following safety tips, you can equip your team with the necessary knowledge to handle severe summer weather:
- Know the Signs and Symptoms of Heat-Related Illness: Awareness of the different signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses is essential. These conditions range from mild, such as sunburn, to severe, such as heatstroke.
- Stay Hydrated: Hydration is key in surviving a heatwave. The average person needs to consume about three-quarters of a gallon of water per day.
- Gather Emergency Supplies: Preparation for a heat wave is like that for any natural disaster. Having emergency supplies on hand can mean the difference between comfort and discomfort, and sometimes life and death.
- Make a Plan to Stay Cool: Heat waves — especially those resulting in power outages — make staying cool challenging. Having a plan to stay cool can prevent heat-related illnesses.
The threat of severe summer weather is real, but with preparation and understanding, we can mitigate its impacts and ensure safety, health, and comfort during a heat wave. Another way to stay prepared and ready to respond to severe summer weather is by proactively establishing a disaster relief fund that can aid team members in the event of a dangerous heat wave.
Plan Ahead: Support Your Team Through Extreme Weather
Severe summer weather poses a real and growing threat — but with preparation, awareness, and proactive planning, you can help minimize its impact. One powerful way to support your employees is by establishing an employee relief fund. These funds offer financial assistance during heat-related emergencies, providing both relief and peace of mind.
If you want to ensure your team is well supported but aren’t sure how to start a relief fund, we’re here to help. An employee relief fund boosts morale and empowers employees to support colleagues facing unexpected hardship through their generous donations. Whether it's a natural disaster, medical emergency, or other personal hardship, a relief fund provides timely assistance, allowing your team to focus on recovery and resilience.
By partnering with Emergency Assistance Foundation (EAF), your organization can quickly establish a fund that provides timely and meaningful support when it’s needed most. As a financial first responder, we’re committed to delivering aid efficiently and compassionately, no matter the circumstances.
A fund administered by EAF enables your organization to assist employees during difficult times with dignity and hope. Relief grants provide critical resources, alleviate financial stress, and facilitate the recovery process for individuals.
Want to learn more? Explore our resources or contact us today — we’re ready to help you make a lasting impact where it matters most.
