The ‘silent killer’: what you need to know about heatwaves

How spells of hot weather put us in danger and what measures we can take to protect ourselves

Tourists cool off in a fountain during a heatwave in Ronda. File picture: JORGE GUERRERO / AFP

Heatwaves have grown hotter and stronger as the planet has warmed, making what doctors call a “silent killer” even more dangerous. How worried should we be about heat – and how can we stay safe as the climate changes?

How many people die from heat?