Two men in their 70s were found dead in separate Lehigh County homes Monday evening after exposure to extreme heat, according to county officials. The back-to-back deaths came as temperatures surged during the region’s first significant heat wave of the year. Coroner Daniel Buglio ruled both deaths accidental and attributed them to hyperthermia.
Buglio told NBC10 Philadelphia that a 78-year-old man was discovered inside his Washington Township home at about 5:56 p.m. A 76-year-old man died later after being transported from Allentown at about 6:41 p.m. In both cases, officials said the men had been exposed to extreme heat in their residences, and the coroner classified the manner of death as accidental.
Heat Advisory Had Lehigh County On Alert
The National Weather Service had a heat advisory in effect across parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey as humidity and soaring temperatures pushed heat-index values toward 100 degrees in some areas. The advisory warned of potentially record-setting highs and urged extra caution for people not yet acclimated to early-season heat, according to the National Weather Service.
Why Older And Isolated Residents Face The Greatest Danger
Health officials note that older adults and people with chronic medical conditions are especially vulnerable in this kind of heat, since their bodies do not regulate temperature as efficiently and they may be slower to respond to signs of heat-related distress. Federal data show that hundreds of heat-related deaths occur in the United States each year, a reminder of how quickly hot, humid weather can turn deadly for those who are medically fragile, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Officials Push Simple Steps To Reduce The Risk
Authorities are urging residents to spend time in air-conditioned places, drink plenty of fluids, avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day and routinely check on older, homebound or isolated neighbors. The National Weather Service has also warned that homes without air conditioning can become significantly hotter than outdoor temperatures and has recommended using cooling centers or public air-conditioned spaces when necessary, in line with its advisory guidance from the National Weather Service.
