According to Heat.gov, exposure to extreme heat can have many direct effects on human health (heat stroke, reduced labor productivity), as well as indirect effects (promoting air pollution and increasing asthma attacks, overloading power grids requiring rolling blackouts). Negative health outcomes occur if an individual is exposed to the hazard and has not sufficiently adapted to reduce sensitivity. Extreme heat can also lead to other natural disasters, such as draught and wildfires, as well as impact livestock and crop production.
General Resources
Heat.gov is the web portal for the National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS): https://www.heat.gov/
This website is designed to prepare you for excessive heat events, describe what to do during a an excessive heat wave, and inform you about the health dangers of heat. You also will find educational materials and fun games and activities to help educate children about the dangers of heat. Spanish language outreach materials are also available. https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat
- Text SHELTER + your ZIP code to 43362 (4FEMA) to find the nearest shelter in your area (example: shelter 12345).
Outdoor Safety in Extreme Heat
Working in these hot conditions is taxing on the body. Be prepared to take care of yourself and others when you work outdoors this summer. Learn more at e Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Heat Illness: Prevent Heat Illness at Work Poster (PDF) • Español (PDF)
Sun Safety at Work Infographic English (ZIP)
Livestock, Crops and Pets in Extreme Heat
For beef producers: https://extension.psu.edu/heat-stress-and-beef-cattle
For dairy cattle: https://dairy.extension.wisc.edu/articles/animal-handling-during-heat-stress/
For small ruminants: https://extension.sdstate.edu/heat-stress-small-ruminants & https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/avoid_heat_stress_in_your_sheep_and_goats
For swine: https://extension.umn.edu/swine-production-management/heat-stress-swine-affects-production & https://extension.psu.edu/keeping-pigs-cool-in-the-summer-heat
For poultry: https://extension.umn.edu/poultry-care-and-management/preventing-heat-stress-poultry
Heat Safety on the Farm-https://extension.psu.edu/heat-illness-and-agriculture
Livestock Preparedness for Extreme Heat- https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/news/2022/7/15/livestock-preparedness-for-extreme-heat.html
Managing Pasture Before and During Drought- https://www.noble.org/legacy/2018-fall/managing-pastures-before-and-during-drought/
Blue Green Algae and Livestock: Drinking water from stagnant ponds and dugouts during hot, dry weather can cause sudden death in animals. https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/publications/cyanobacteria-poisoning-blue-green-algae
