Daily HealthBeat Tip

Leaving the fan club

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I'm Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

George Luber is no big fan of fans for people without air conditioning in bad heat waves. The epidemiologist at HHS' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says all a fan does when it's really hot is push around hot air:

"Electric fans may seem to provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool bath or shower, or moving to an air-conditioned place, is a much better way to cool off." (12 seconds)

Luber says spending even a few hours in an air-conditioned place such as a mall or a library can help your body stay cooler even when you go back into the heat.

For most people, things like taking breaks to cool off and staying hydrated by drinking before you're thirsty can help prevent heat-related illnesses.

Learn more at www.hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I'm Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: August 14, 2006

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