SATURDAY, July 16, 2011 (HealthDay News) -- You may love the summer heat that makes it easy to swim, picnic and just laze around outside, but don't overdo it: Overexposure to the sun and heat can be dangerous, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency warns.
On average, heat waves kill more people each year in the United States than any other natural disaster. And one American dies every hour from skin cancer, the most common type of cancer in the United States, according to the EPA.
To help combat the double-whammy of heat waves and the sun, the EPA suggests planting trees, shrubs and vines near buildings to provide cooling shade and protection from ultraviolet rays.
The agency also offers the following summer safety tips:
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers more hot weather tips.