Health Officials Offer Tips for Staying Cool

Health officials are urging residents to keep cool during the current heat wave across the Twin Cities. 

Temperatures will reach a high of 99 degrees and a low of 79 degrees on the Fourth of July and will reach a high of 100 degrees and a low of 75 degrees on Thursday. There is also a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms Thursday evening, according to the National Weather Service.  

Particularly at risk are children and the elderly, said Lowell Johnson, director of Washington County's Department of Public Health and Environment. 

If you have an edlerly neighbor, relative or friend, make sure to check on their well-being, Johnson said. 

"We want people to be active and out and about and taking advantage of activities and events," Johnson said. "Be smart about it."

You should also limit how much alcohol and caffeine you drink. Those drinks are often counterproductive. 

The state Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest the following tips to protect yourself during hot weather: 

• Drink more water. Avoid alcohol and large amounts of sugar.
• Stay indoors where it's air-conditioned, if possible. 
• Don't rely on electric fans. They won't prvent heat-related illnesses when temperatures are higher than 90 degrees.
• Wear light-weight, light-colored clothing.
• Never leave people or animals in a closed, parked vehicle. 
• Limit physical exercise.
• Take a cool bath or shower.
• When outdoors, wear hats and use sunscreen. 

Signs of eat-related illnesses can vary, but they include:

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

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