Health beat: Keep cool in hot weather

Getting too hot can make people sick. People can become ill from the heat if their body can't compensate for it and properly cool off. Heat exposure can even kill: It caused 7,233 heat-related deaths in the United States from 1999 to 2009.

Main things affecting the body's ability to cool itself during extremely hot weather:

* High humidity. When humidity is high, sweat won't evaporate as quickly, which keeps the body from releasing heat as fast as it may need to.

* Personal factors. Age, obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, mental illness, poor circulation, sunburn and prescription drug and alcohol use can play a role in whether a person can cool off enough in hot weather.

People at greatest risk for heat-related illness can take protective actions to prevent illness or death:

* People who are at highest risk are the elderly, the very young and people with chronic diseases or mental illness.

* Even young and healthy people can get sick from the heat if they participate in strenuous physical activities during hot weather.

* Air-conditioning is the No. 1 protective factor against heat-related illness and death. If a home is not air-conditioned, people can reduce their risk for heat-related illness by spending time in public facilities that are air-conditioned.

Take these steps to prevent heat-related illnesses, injuries and deaths during hot weather:

* Stay in an air-conditioned indoor location as much as possible.

* Drink plenty of fluids even if you don't feel thirsty.

* Schedule outdoor activities carefully.

* Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing and sunscreen.

* Pace yourself.

* Take cool showers or baths to cool down.

* Check on a friend or neighbor and have someone do the same for you.

* Do not leave children or pets in cars.

* Check the local news for health and safety updates.

Health Beat is a weekly spotlight on a wide range of health issues. The information contained here was provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. View the CDC features online at www.cdc.gov/features.