At the beginning of summer you’re thrilled about the bright sunshine, long afternoons spent outdoors, and the hot summer breeze blowing through the trees. There comes a point when these things can start to feel overwhelming, however, and those days are potentially dangerous to your health. Here are a few simple tips to keep yourself and your family safe during a heat wave.

1. Know the symptoms. If you know the symptoms of heat-related illness, you’ll be better equipped to recognize it when it happens. If you or someone you know has painful muscle cramps, heavy sweating, a weak pulse, or nausea, those may be signs of heat exhaustion.
2. Stay hydrated. When the temperature rises to 90 degrees or above, it’s very important to drink at least one gallon of water per day.
3. Change your workout routine. Be sure to move any physical activity to the very early morning or after the sun goes down on days when there’s even a slight risk for heat stroke.
4. Wear lightweight clothing. This one may seem like a no brainer, but it can be difficult if you work in a place with a strict dress code or if you’re unprepared for the heat. Be sure to wear breathable fabrics in single layers, or wear an undershirt so that you can shed layers as the temperatures rise.

Heat: A Major Killer [National Weather Service]
Summer Heat Safety Tips [Love to Know]
NYC Hazards: Extreme Heat and Your Health [NYC.gov]
Red Cross Offers Ways to Stay Safe During a Heat Wave [Red Cross]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Rob Bertholf