How to Avoid Heat Illnesses and Other Summer Health Risks

As temperatures rise and visitors travel to the Northeast for summer events, including FIFA World Cup matches, health officials are encouraging people to take simple precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses and other seasonal health risks.

Dr. Noah Schmuckler, a family medicine provider with Crystal Run Healthcare, said dehydration and excessive sun exposure are among the most common summer health issues he sees in patients.

“People feel really sick and they can’t quite understand why,” Schmuckler said. “It really all comes down to protecting your skin and drinking plenty of water.”

Schmuckler, who also works in urgent care, said many patients seek treatment after spending extended periods outdoors without adequate hydration or sun protection.

With large outdoor gatherings expected throughout the summer, including World Cup-related events, Schmuckler said heat and alcohol can create a dangerous combination.

“The alcohol actually can make you more prone to dehydration,” he said. “Once you get some dehydration on board, you get some extra heat. You can experience something called heat exhaustion.”

Symptoms of heat-related illness can include unusual fatigue, excessive sweating, headaches, a racing heart and difficulty performing normal activities, Schmuckler said. If left untreated, heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke, a serious medical emergency.

“You’re talking about some real damage that has occurred just from having too much heat, just from having not enough water,” he said.

Schmuckler advised people spending time outdoors to seek shade, rest when needed and drink water regularly. While sports drinks and electrolyte beverages are widely marketed, he emphasized that water remains the most important tool for preventing dehydration.

“Water is what does it,” he said. “Water is the thing that you need.”

Sun protection is another key concern during the summer months. Schmuckler recommends using sunscreen with SPF 30 and reapplying it every few hours, especially when sweating or participating in outdoor activities.

“You can’t put on too much sunblock,” he said.

Once a sunburn occurs, recovery options are limited.

“It’s a burn. It takes time,” Schmuckler said. “There’s really nothing that makes it go away more quickly. Frankly, the only thing that’s going to heal you faster is rest and fluids.”

For travelers attending World Cup matches and other large outdoor events, Schmuckler recommends bringing refillable water bottles, locating shaded areas and staying mindful of hydration throughout the day.

“Make sure you know where you can get to some water and you can get to some shade,” he said.

He also recommends carrying hand sanitizer and using it after touching frequently used surfaces such as door handles, turnstiles and seats.

When it comes to emergency warning signs, Schmuckler said symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath should never be ignored. He also advised seeking medical attention for unusual nausea, rapid heart rate, lightheadedness or other symptoms that feel out of the ordinary.

For anyone showing signs of heat illness, Schmuckler said immediate action is important.

“I would definitely be getting them into a cool area, getting some cool compresses on them, but don’t hesitate to hit that 911,” he said.

Asked for one summer safety message people often overlook, Schmuckler returned to the importance of sunscreen and hydration.

“Don’t turn into a crispy raisin,” he said. “Make sure you’ve got some block on your skin and plenty of fluid going in.”

Image: France’s Kylian Mbappe and France’s Desire Doue trying to cool down in the extreme heat during a training session during the FIFA World Cup soccer tournament, at the France base camp in Waltham, Mass., near Boston, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)