Complete coverage on

Health Tips, Safety and First Aid

See how people reacted to a set-up of a "screaming baby" left in the back seat of a car on a hot day.

Latest Stories

Heat can pose health hazards for kidsupdated: Fri Aug 10 2012 07:38:00

Parents worry a lot about fever, especially the ones that come from illness.

How to stay safe when lightning is nearupdated: Wed Aug 08 2012 11:31:00

The number of lightning-related injuries and fatalities has been rising in recent weeks as stormy weather sweeps across the United States.

La. Tech dog mascot dead of heatstrokeupdated: Thu Aug 02 2012 06:19:00

The English bulldog known as Tech XX died of heatstroke after being left out in triple-digit heat. KNOE has more.

Missing mascot dead from heatstroke, Louisiana Tech saysupdated: Thu Aug 02 2012 06:19:00

Though initially reported missing, the English bulldog that was the mascot for sports teams at Louisiana Tech University actually died of heatstroke, officials said Wednesday.

Death in the back seat: Feds call forgotten-child safety devices 'unreliable'updated: Mon Jul 30 2012 14:29:00

New devices intended to prevent children from dying of heat stroke in parked vehicles are unreliable, and should not be used as stand-alone measures to prevent such tragedies, the federal government warned Monday.

Six common sun myths, exposedupdated: Tue Jul 10 2012 14:43:00

Myth #1: A suntan's fine, as long as you don't burn.

Couple pleads for utility's helpupdated: Sun Jul 08 2012 15:47:00

Jaared and Coni Arosemena are in a dangerous situation as live downed power lines surround their house after storms.

Extreme heat warning extended for Midwest, Southeastupdated: Sun Jul 01 2012 05:03:00

Forecasters issued another round of excessive heat warnings Sunday for large swaths of the Midwest and Southeast as the regions dug out from deadly storms that left millions without power.

U.S. heat wave affecting 100 millionupdated: Sun Jul 01 2012 05:03:00

Relief is nowhere in sight as the extreme heat is expected to continue through the weekend.

First day of summer, and the Northeast sure feels itupdated: Thu Jun 21 2012 20:02:00

A heat wave continued to blanket the U.S. Northeast with scorching temperatures on the first day of summer, as residents across the region sought to keep cool amid national heat advisories.

Extreme weather with heat and floodsupdated: Thu Jun 21 2012 20:02:00

A heat wave is gripping much of the Northeast while record floods have caused a flood emergency in Duluth, MN.

Heat wave sweeps across U.S. Northeastupdated: Wed Jun 20 2012 19:22:00

The first major heat wave of the summer blanketed the U.S. East Coast on Wednesday with scorching temperatures that swept across the region.

Heat expected to fry mid-Atlantic statesupdated: Wed Jun 20 2012 14:04:00

A heat wave is expected to form over the mid-Atlantic region this week as forecasters warn heat indices could reach the triple digits.

Climber recounts descent from death zoneupdated: Tue May 22 2012 16:42:00

CNN's Brooke Baldwin talks to a man who climbed Mount Everest and he describes the journey.

Four die on Mount Everestupdated: Tue May 22 2012 16:42:00

Four people died while coming down the southern slope of the mountain during the weekend after reaching Mount Everest's 8848-meter (29,028 foot) summit, officials said.

Cut off and under fire in Homs, Syriaupdated: Tue Feb 21 2012 21:58:00

CNN's Arwa Damon speaks to BackStory after returning from Homs, a Syrian city ground down by relentless shelling.

Underground medical expertise refined in Syrian crucibleupdated: Tue Feb 21 2012 21:58:00

At first glance, it looked like movie night at the neighborhood mosque. Dozens of teenage boys sat mesmerized on the carpeted floor, staring at a screen mounted on the wall.

43 Fort Bragg soldiers suffer heat illness in 12-mile road marchupdated: Fri Sep 23 2011 13:50:00

Forty-three soldiers suffered heat-related illnesses Friday during a 12-mile road march at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, an Army spokesman said.

Five ways you can still help in Haitiupdated: Fri Aug 19 2011 07:35:00

It's been more than a year since Haiti was rocked by an earthquake, leaving about 230,000 people dead, hundreds of thousands injured and more than a million homeless. The international community was quick to provide aid, especially in the first few months after the earthquake.

Preventing heat-related football deathsupdated: Fri Aug 05 2011 14:12:00

Coaches cancel midday football practices to prevent heat-related injuries to players.

High temperatures scorch Midwest, Southupdated: Tue Aug 02 2011 19:32:00

Hot and dry: It's getting to be a monotonous forecast for the U.S. heartland.

Too hot for Warrior Dashupdated: Tue Aug 02 2011 19:32:00

Missouri race ended early as people overheated. KMBC reports

More deaths blamed on high U.S. temperaturesupdated: Mon Aug 01 2011 22:47:00

Arkansas recorded its first heat-related fatality from the blazing temperatures that have hung over the central United States for weeks, now blamed for dozens of deaths across the region.

More heat to sizzle central United Statesupdated: Mon Jul 25 2011 20:45:00

The deadly heat wave that has kept much of the eastern and central United States in its grip is expected to hold on longer in some central states this week.

Burning questions on the heat indexupdated: Fri Jul 22 2011 17:42:00

Is it really not the heat, but the humidity? With temperatures spiking around the country and weathermen warning of days where the heat index surges into the triple digits, we thought it might be a good time to answer some questions about the heat index.

Zoo animals eat meat inside ice blocksupdated: Fri Jul 22 2011 17:42:00

Staff members at the Brookfield Zoo in Illinois fed animals huge blocks of ice with meat inside to keep them cool.

Record highs broken in slew of citiesupdated: Thu Jul 21 2011 22:25:00

The blistering heat wave that has brought stifling conditions to much of the United States broke 55 record highs on Wednesday, the National Weather Service said Thursday. That's more than 1% of all temperature records in the country.

'Flirting' with 100 degreesupdated: Thu Jul 21 2011 22:25:00

Half-naked anchors cover "heat dome" while reporters cook steak and eggs in it. CNN's Jeanne Moos reports.

Nearly half of U.S. population facing extreme heatupdated: Wed Jul 20 2011 20:11:00

The dangerous heat wave blamed for as many as 22 deaths spread into the eastern United States on Wednesday, extending its reach across nearly half the U.S. population, officials said.

Heat wave drives up emergency calls, possible deathsupdated: Wed Jul 20 2011 16:23:00

The scorching temperatures affecting almost half of the U.S. population isn't just causing heatstrokes -- it's also causing people to feel drained and more susceptible to other health problems. The humidity can wreak havoc and feel suffocating to people who have breathing or heart-related problems.

With no end in sight, record heat to move eastupdated: Mon Jul 18 2011 02:45:00

Much of middle America baked in a heat wave Sunday, with little respite in sight for Monday as temperatures and humidity are expected to make it feel warmer than 100 degrees Fahrenheit through much of this week.

Upper Midwest swelters with high temperatures, humidityupdated: Sun Jul 17 2011 23:01:00

Much of middle America baked in a heat wave Sunday, with little respite in sight as temperatures and humidity are expected to make it feel warmer than 100 degrees Fahrenheit through much of this week.

No relief from heat wave in the South, Northupdated: Fri Jul 15 2011 09:35:00

It's truly the dog days of summer in the South.

Extreme heat dwindles in some areas, only to take hold elsewhereupdated: Thu Jul 14 2011 22:15:00

Searing temperatures kept their grip on only three southern states -- Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas -- on Thursday evening, according to the National Weather Service.

Heatstroke: A deadly hazard of summerupdated: Thu Jul 14 2011 06:18:00

Michael Musick is all too familiar with the toll heat can take on the human body.

Heat wave hits 23 statesupdated: Wed Jul 13 2011 21:25:00

Excessive heat warnings are in place in 23 states across the U.S. Melisa Raney reports.

Heat advisories issued to states dwindles to 15updated: Tue Jul 12 2011 22:37:00

The number of states under heat advisories diminished to 15 Tuesday evening.

Record temperatures seen as heat wave plagues 23 statesupdated: Mon Jul 11 2011 20:31:00

A heat wave is building and could reach dangerous levels in parts of the Midwest, the Plains and the Southeast this week.

Protect your dog from getting overheated?updated: Sat Jul 02 2011 00:38:00

Dogs aren't exactly subtle when they want something -- and a break from the heat is no exception.

How to stay safe in scorching heatupdated: Wed Jun 08 2011 16:52:00

Parts of the country are in the grips of record-setting, deadly heat. CNN's Elizabeth Corridan reports.

Possible heat-related deaths reported in 3 statesupdated: Wed Jun 08 2011 16:52:00

Five possible heat-related deaths, all involving people 60 years or older and having pre-existing medical conditions, have been reported by health officials in three states, underscoring the danger posed to those most vulnerable in the searing heat wave that has gripped much of the eastern United States for nearly two weeks.

Boy, 9, uses CPR to save 2-year-old sisterupdated: Tue Apr 19 2011 10:42:00

Tristin Saghin might only be 9 years old, but he knew just what to do after his 2-year-old sister was found floating in her grandmother's swimming pool unconscious Sunday.

Judge declines to grant mistrial in sweat lodge caseupdated: Wed Apr 13 2011 17:34:00

An Arizona judge agreed Wednesday with defense attorneys that prosecutors in the manslaughter trial of self-help author James Ray improperly withheld evidence, but he decided not to grant a defense motion for a mistrial.

Sweat lodge survivor: Ray was 'the expert'updated: Tue Mar 15 2011 20:35:00

Self-help guru James Arthur Ray "was in charge of all the activities" at the Arizona retreat where three people died in a purification ritual in 2009, a survivor of the event testified Tuesday.

Egyptian army, demonstrators stand off in Tahrir Squareupdated: Sat Feb 05 2011 20:36:00

Opposition activists formed a human chain outside one of the entrances to Tahrir Square on Saturday afternoon to prevent two Egyptian military tanks from crossing through barricades into what has effectively become an anti-Mubarak enclave in the heart of the Egyptian capital.

Egypt's 'day of departure'updated: Fri Feb 04 2011 15:22:00

Crowds of anti-government protesters continue to gather in Cairo in an effort to oust President Hosni Mubarak.

Pro- and anti-regime gangs clash in streets off Cairo's Tahrir Squareupdated: Fri Feb 04 2011 15:22:00

What a difference a few city blocks can make. Crowds of thousands upon thousands of Egyptians demonstrated peacefully Friday, filling most of Cairo's sprawling and once besieged Tahrir Square. They played music on loud speakers, danced and chanted "down with the dictator" in a rally dubbed "Day of Departure."

Fourth-grader's 'hammer' saves classmate from chokingupdated: Fri Jan 07 2011 13:41:00

When a classmate started choking on a Cheeto during lunch Wednesday, Tyler Hudson took action.

Fourth-grader saves classmate's lifeupdated: Fri Jan 07 2011 13:41:00

A young student in Houston acted quickly when his classmate was choking on a Cheeto. KHOU reports.

People.com: Michael Jackson's Kids Watched Him Die, Witness Saysupdated: Thu Jan 06 2011 09:38:00

"Paris screamed, 'Daddy,' and she started crying," the singer's assistant recalls

What you need for a pet first aid kitupdated: Tue Jan 04 2011 11:21:00

My dog Lulu has amassed quite a few vet bills over the years for ailments ranging from allergies to tummy disorders, so I've had my share of pet emergencies. Fortunately, a well-stocked pet first aid kit can go a long way toward helping your pooch and lowering your bill at an emergency vet clinic.

Must-know winter health & safety tipsupdated: Tue Dec 07 2010 08:51:00

Chillax! Get set for the Coolest Winter Ever

New guidelines on how to perform CPRupdated: Mon Oct 18 2010 17:24:00

New guidelines from the American Heart Association change the way people should perform CPR.

New CPR is spelled C-A-Bupdated: Mon Oct 18 2010 17:24:00

It was 5:16 a.m. when the call came in to a 911 dispatcher in Madison, Wisconsin. The story, from Cathy Silver, came out staccato: Cathy's husband, Jim, was gagging, gasping for air. A nurse at the University of Wisconsin Hospital, Cathy could see that her husband, the father of four grown children, was in cardiac arrest.

August heat can be risky for athletesupdated: Thu Aug 19 2010 12:19:00

Each year, nearly 10,000 high school athletes in the U.S. suffer heat-related illnesses that require medical attention and cause them to miss practice or games, according to a report released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

9 people dead as extreme heat wave grips the Midwest and Southupdated: Wed Aug 04 2010 16:39:00

The number of suspected heat-related deaths reported by health officials across the South and Midwest in the past week reached at least nine Wednesday as temperatures continued to hit triple digits.

Hands-only CPR as effective as traditional, studies showupdated: Mon Aug 02 2010 09:12:00

You're in a restaurant, or at an airport, or on a crowded street. The man or woman next to you crumples to the ground. Do you know what to do? Anyone trained in CPR knows the first step: Check for breathing, and check for a pulse. If there's no heartbeat -- what then?

CPR with no mouth-to-mouthupdated: Mon Aug 02 2010 09:12:00

Research finds a new, highly effective version of CPR that requires only chest compressions.

Power outages plague DC region after storm that killed 2 peopleupdated: Mon Jul 26 2010 14:34:00

As temperatures climbed toward the 90s across the Washington metro region Monday, hundreds of thousands of people were left to cope with the blistering heat as utility crews worked to restore power after a violent thunderstorm that killed two people.

Preparing for flood danger in wildernessupdated: Fri Jun 11 2010 19:08:00

The deadly flash floods that swept through remote Arkansas valleys, killing some campers and leaving many others missing, are a grim reminder of the sudden nature of flash floods and the importance of being prepared for emergencies.

Gulf relief crews prepare for hot tempsupdated: Fri Jun 11 2010 16:23:00

Teams working on the Gulf oil disaster in Louisiana should expect and prepare for up to 110 degree heat indices.

Oil disaster efforts face extreme heatupdated: Fri Jun 11 2010 16:23:00

Rising temperatures are adding to the perils of cleanup efforts on the Gulf oil disaster, and workers' heat-related illnesses are now the primary worry for local doctors and nurses.

Worst sunburns scorch and sizzle -- 5 ways to avoid getting deep-friedupdated: Mon May 31 2010 14:50:00

Whether a person is light- or dark-skinned, whether it's cloudy or sunny outside, dermatologists recommend wearing sunscreen -- globs of it.

Why not to fry your skinupdated: Mon May 31 2010 14:50:00

Skin cancer affects many people, so there is a movement to help people learn not to burn.

Red Cross defends helping Taliban treat casualtiesupdated: Thu May 27 2010 02:50:00

The International Committee of the Red Cross is defending its practice of providing medical training and basic medical supplies to the Taliban in Afghanistan -- saying it is in line with the ICRC's mandate not to discriminate between different sides in a conflict.

How much liquid should I drink daily?updated: Mon Apr 05 2010 08:20:00

I drink about 6 to 10 ounces of fluids per day and I am 15. I know that's really bad, but on top of that I am training for a half-marathon and I've run up to 12 miles. On days like that, I still lack adequate liquids. Will this pose any problems in the near or far future other than dehydration, which I have yet to experience?

Medical dramas give bad information about seizure treatmentupdated: Mon Feb 15 2010 15:24:00

When your favorite hospital drama star is treating a patient who's having seizures, you might want to pay more attention to what's revealed about the doctor's personal life than what he or she is actually doing.

Trapped father survives with help of phone appupdated: Tue Jan 26 2010 16:33:00

Alone in the darkness beneath layers of rubble, Dan Woolley felt blood streaming from his head and leg.

Phone app helps man surviveupdated: Tue Jan 26 2010 16:33:00

A U.S. dad writes goodbyes to his family, but survives with the help of a cell phone application. CNN's Josh Levs reports.

Coworkers willing to save livesupdated: Wed Dec 30 2009 09:34:00

Co-workers are always a great topic of conversation. You never run out of things to say when it comes to talking about the different types of people you work with, what you love, what you hate and how you deal with it all.

Five simple ways to save a lifeupdated: Wed Oct 21 2009 15:55:00

Quick: What would you do if you impaled yourself with a large, sharp, piece of wood? If your tooth fell out? If you fell from a high ladder? If your friend had a severe allergic reaction?

Heat deaths put pressure on football traditionupdated: Fri Aug 21 2009 17:15:00

Before Friday night lights, there is summer suffering.

Disco tune saves man's lifeupdated: Mon Jul 06 2009 13:32:00

Debra Bader was taking a walk in the woods with her 53-year-old husband one morning when suddenly he collapsed. At first she thought the situation was hopeless.

Survival in Seattle: Cardiac-arrest deaths vary by cityupdated: Fri Jun 26 2009 15:00:00

It always seems so straightforward on TV. You have a cardiac arrest, a handsome doctor rushes to your side, shouts "Clear!" and gives you a couple of zaps to the chest with electricity-generating paddles, and -- ta-da! -- you're back in business. Cue the tears and music.

Commentary: Keeping your hands free of flu virusupdated: Mon May 04 2009 09:23:00

The rapid spread of the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus (also known as swine flu) from Mexico to at least 19 other countries in less than 10 days is a cause of major concern.

We recommend

From around the web