Here's what you can do to prepare yourself and your family:

Summer heat waves bring unusually high temperatures that may last for days. Each year, high temperatures put people at risk. People suffer heat-related illness when the body's temperature control system is overloaded. The body normally cools itself by sweating. But under some conditions, sweating just is not enough. In such cases, a person's body temperature rises rapidly. Very high temperatures may damage the brain or other vital organs. To protect your health when temperatures are extremely high here is some information on how to prevent, recognize and cope with heat-related injuries.

What to do during a Heat Wave

• Avoid strenuous activity.
• Avoid too much sunshine.
• Postpone outdoor games and activities.
• Stay indoors as much as possible.
• If your home does not air conditioning, choose other places you can go to get relief from the heat. a Plan to wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Protect face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
• Drink plenty of fluids even if you do not feel thirsty. a
• Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them.
• Eat small meals and eat more often. Large meals are more often difficult to digest and cause your body to increase internal heat to aid digestion.
• Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles. Temperatures inside a closed vehicle can reach over 140°F within minutes.

Heat cramps
Heat cramps usually affect people who sweat a lot during strenuous activity. This sweating depletes the body's salt and moisture. The low salt level in the muscles causes painful cramps. Heat cramps may also be a symptom of heat exhaustion. Heat cramps are muscle pains or spasms-usually in the abdomen, arms, or legs-that may occur in association with strenuous activity. If you have heart problems or are on a low sodium diet, get medical attention for heat cramps.

First Aid:

• Stop all activity, and sit quietly in a cool place.
• Drink clear juice or a sport beverage,
• Do not return to strenuous activity for a few hours after the cramps subside because further exertion may lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
• Seek medical attention for heat cramps if they do not subside in one hour.

Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is the body's response to an excessive loss of water and salt contained in sweat. Those most prone to heat exhaustion are elderly people, people with high blood pressure and people working or exercising in a hot environment. The skin may be cool and moist. The victim's pulse rate will be fast and weak; breathing will be fast and shallow.

Warning signs include:

• Heavy sweating
• Paleness
• Muscle cramps
• Tiredness
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fainting

First Aid

• Lay the victim down and loosen clothing.
• Place victim in a cool environment
• Apply cold compresses and cool the body by fanning the victim.
• Consult a physical if symptoms worsen or last longer than one hour.

Heat Stroke
Heat stroke occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature: the body's temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. Body temperature may rise to 106°F or higher within 10-15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not given.

Warning signs include:

• An extremely high body temperature (above 103°F)
• Red, hot and dry skin (no sweating)
• Rapid, strong pulse
• Throbbing headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Unconsciousness

First Aid

• Consult a physician immediately or call 911
• Get the victim to a shady area
• Cool the victim rapidly; for example immerse the victim in a cool tub of water; place in a cool shower, spray with cool water from a garden hose; sponge victim with cool water.