• Cold showers during a heatwave can dangerously trap heat inside your body and strain your heart.
• Staying hydrated with water, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, and wearing light clothing are essential.
• Protect your home by blocking sunlight, using fans for airflow, and avoiding outdoor exertion during peak heat.

Heatwaves Are Becoming Deadly: The 10 Worst Mistakes You Must Avoid to Stay Safe

This summer’s relentless heatwave isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s a growing threat to our health and safety. With temperatures soaring past 100 degrees in cities like New York, the risk of heat-related illness and even death is climbing. Experts warn that as climate change fuels more intense and prolonged heatwaves, knowing what not to do can be the difference between life and death.

If you think a heatwave is just an inconvenience, think again. Hospitals report spikes in heat exhaustion, dehydration, and heart attacks during these extreme conditions. The danger is real, especially for children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health problems. To help you survive—and thrive—in this scorching weather, here are the 10 worst mistakes to avoid when the heatwave hits.

1. Taking Freezing Cold Showers or Baths

It sounds tempting: jump into a cold shower to cool off instantly. But experts caution this could backfire dangerously. Sudden exposure to icy water after overheating causes your blood vessels to constrict sharply. This reduces heat loss and traps dangerous heat inside your body, especially around your vital organs. For some, this shock can spike blood pressure or trigger heart problems. Instead, opt for cool, not freezing water, and ease into cooling down gradually.

2. Skipping Hydration or Drinking Caffeine and Alcohol

Sweating profusely means your body loses a lot of water. Skipping fluids is a recipe for dehydration, which can quickly lead to heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Equally harmful are caffeine and alcohol—they act as diuretics, pushing water out of your body faster. During a heatwave, stick to water, electrolyte drinks, or herbal teas to keep your hydration levels up and your body functioning properly.

3. Wearing Dark, Tight, or Synthetic Clothing

Dark colors soak up the sun’s rays and trap heat close to your skin. Tight or synthetic fabrics don’t allow your skin to breathe or sweat to evaporate efficiently, making you feel hotter. Light-colored, loose, and natural fabrics like cotton help reflect sunlight and promote airflow, keeping your body temperature down.

4. Ignoring Symptoms of Heat Illness

Headaches, dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps, and excessive sweating are signs your body is struggling. Ignoring these symptoms and pushing through the heat can lead to heat exhaustion or deadly heatstroke. If you or someone around you shows these warning signs, get to a cooler place immediately, hydrate, and seek medical help if symptoms worsen.

5. Leaving Kids or Pets in Cars

Temperatures inside a parked car can rise to lethal levels within minutes—even with windows cracked. Never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles during hot weather. The risk of heatstroke and fatal outcomes in such situations is alarmingly high.

6. Overexerting Yourself Outside

Outdoor activities like jogging, gardening, or manual labor put extra strain on your body in the heat. Your heart works harder to cool you down, and dehydration happens faster. Avoid strenuous tasks during peak heat hours (usually mid-afternoon). If you must work or exercise, take frequent breaks, stay in the shade, and drink water constantly.

7. Forgetting to Protect Your Home from the Heat

Heat waves don’t only affect you outside. A home without proper shading, ventilation, or cooling can turn into a furnace, especially on upper floors. Keep blinds or curtains closed during the day to block out sunlight. Use fans strategically—point them out of windows to push hot air outside and create cross-ventilation with another fan pulling cooler air in. This simple trick can lower indoor temperatures without driving up your electric bill.

8. Neglecting Sunscreen and Shade

Sunburn doesn’t just cause pain; it impairs your skin’s ability to regulate temperature. Spending hours in direct sunlight without protection worsens heat-related risks. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen regularly, wear hats, and seek shade whenever possible to shield yourself from harsh UV rays and heat exposure.

9. Consuming Heavy or Spicy Foods

Your body generates extra heat while digesting heavy, greasy, or spicy meals—heat you don’t want when temperatures are soaring. Opt for light, fresh meals like salads, fruits, and cold soups to ease digestion and keep you feeling cooler.

10. Ignoring Mental Health and Social Isolation Risks

Heatwaves don’t just affect physical health; they impact mental well-being too. High temperatures can worsen anxiety, irritability, and sleep problems. Elderly people living alone face added dangers if they can’t access cooling or help when needed. Check on neighbors and loved ones regularly during extreme heat to ensure they are safe and hydrated.

The Growing Heatwave Crisis

The science is clear: extreme heat is becoming more frequent and severe across the globe. The World Health Organization warns that heat-related deaths could rise dramatically in the coming decades. This summer is just a preview of what might become the new normal.

Public health officials urge everyone to take heatwaves seriously. Small, careful steps—like avoiding the ten dangerous mistakes listed above—can protect your life and those around you. As the planet warms, staying informed and prepared isn’t just smart, it’s essential.

A Final Word: Stay Cool, Stay Safe

Heatwaves demand respect and vigilance. Your instinct might be to plunge into icy water or push through the discomfort, but those moves can backfire. Instead, drink water, dress smartly, protect your skin, avoid risky behaviors, and keep your environment as cool as possible.

By making smart choices now, you’ll not only survive this brutal heatwave—you’ll come out stronger and healthier when the temperatures finally drop.

The heat isn’t just inconvenient—it’s a growing threat. Don’t let it catch you unprepared.