How Relief Funds Can Help Employees Struggling with Unexpected Primary Residence Expenses
May 29, 2024
Wildfire Season Preparation Tips
July 26, 2024Updated: June 2024
Summer is a time for relaxation and outdoor fun, but severe summer weather can pose serious threats. Extreme heat often results in the highest annual number of deaths among all weather-related disasters, with over 2,300 heat-related deaths occurring in the U.S. in 2023 alone. However, many doctors, public health experts, and meteorologists explained that it was only a fraction of the real death toll and that 2024 could be even more deadly.
In this article, we’ll share safety tips for preparing for severe summer weather to ensure your team members are ready when temperatures start rising. We’ll also explore how starting a relief fund can benefit employees dealing with expenses related to these extreme conditions.
What Are Heat Waves?
In the last decade, heat waves have been responsible for more deaths in the U.S. than any other weather-related disaster. In 2023, around 75% of the heat-related deaths occurred in five southern states that are used to the heat and generally prepared for it. However, the surging temps proved too much, killing 874 people in Arizona, 450 in Texas, 226 in Nevada, 84 in Florida, and 83 in Louisiana. Those five states have accounted for around 60% of the heat-related deaths in the U.S. in the last five years.
These heat waves are not just affecting certain countries or continents but regions all over the globe. For instance, in June 2023, severe heat waves in northern India affected over 33 million individuals and led to nearly 100 deaths. India recently recorded its hottest temperature at 126 degrees amid a severe heat wave, exacerbating the situation.
As the frequency and intensity of heat waves increase, understanding and mitigating these dangers becomes even more crucial. Here are some safety tips that summer weather experts recommend.
With climate change, heat waves are becoming increasingly frequent and intense, with the number of heat waves steadily increasing over the last 30 years — a trend that is expected to continue.
The Danger of Heat Waves
In the last decade, heat waves have been responsible for more deaths in the U.S. than any other weather-related disaster. In June and July of 2023, heat waves have caused at least a dozen deaths so far in Louisiana and Texas, with 87 million people from California to Florida under heat alerts. In Phoenix, daytime highs have soared above 110 F for 21 consecutive days (as of July 20th).
These heat waves are not just affecting certain countries or continents, but different regions all over the globe. In June of 2023, severe heat waves in northern India affected over 33 million individuals and led to nearly 100 casualties.
As the frequency and intensity of heat waves increase, understanding and mitigating these dangers become even more crucial. Here are some safety tips summer weather experts recommend.
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.
How Establishing a Disaster Relief Fund With Emergency Assistance Foundation Will Help Provide Aid
If you’re interested in making sure your team members are taken care of but are unsure about how to launch an employee relief fund, we’re here to help!
In the aftermath of severe weather, a disaster, or personal hardship, your organization needs the ability to help impacted team members rebuild and recover from the potentially devastating impact. A relief fund can boost morale and allow your employees to donate and contribute directly to the support of fellow team members. Establishing a relief fund can alleviate the stress that disasters and hardship put on those within your organization and allow them to stay focused on recovering from the event.
If your organization is interested in launching a relief fund, consider establishing a fund with EAF today. As a financial first responder, we’re resourceful and fearless in ensuring that financial assistance reaches individuals in need, no matter the unique circumstances involved.
By establishing a fund with us today, your organization can assist members of your team affected by severe weather and other hardships. Relief fund grants can help impacted individuals pull through difficult times and start on the path toward recovery. If you’d like to learn more about how your organization can help your team during crises, you can review additional information about how a fund works or contact us today. We look forward to helping you make a difference for those who need it most!
