Keep Your Cool in the Heat!

With several days of 90 plus temperatures, many of them borderlining triple digits-- you can't spend much time outside without running the risk of dehydration or heat exhaustion.

But doctors say we can enjoy the hot weather, by remembering a few simple things.

News Specialist Sam Penrod has more on beating the heat.

More Info Avoiding Heat-Related Illness Protecting Pets in Hot Weather Hot Weather and Pregnancy Lowering Your Air Conditioning Bill Links Avoiding Heat Exaustion (UTHealth.com) Heat Tips from NOAA Includes information on keeping cool, precautions for the elderly, heat forecasts and links to other pages.

I think all of us are starting to realize the summer is going by quickly, so we're making it a priority to enjoy summer fun. But this hotter than usual weather affects us all more than we might realize.

Wherever you look this weekend, people are finding ways to spend time outside.

Trouble is, outside means enduring temperatures of nearly 100- degrees and the risk of getting dehydrated.

That's why golfers like Jim McKinnis are taking water out on the course.

"WE HAVE AN ICE CHEST THAT WERE TAKING WITH US SO WE'L LUSE THAT WHILE WERE OUT THERE IF THEY HAVE WATER FOUNTAINS WE'RE NOT GOING TO PASS THEM UP."

Doctors warn that in extreme heat, we lose water faster and must drink more liquids than usual to keep up.

But it's something people often forget in outdoor recreation.

Dr. Brian Hyer/Emergency Room Physician: "WE CAN SEE SOME PEOPLE COME IN WHO ARE EXPERIENCING DEHYDRATION AND MAY EVEN HAVE HEAT EXHAUSTION OR HEAT STROKE, WHERE THEY HAVEN'T KEPT UP WITH THEIR FLUID INTAKE APPROPRIATELY AND ARE WORKING IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY."

Doctors advise only short time periods in the heat, especially in the afternoon.

We should spend time in the shade and avoid strenous activities during the heat of the day.

And the best defense, drink a lot of water.

Dr. Brian Hyer/Emergency Room Physician: ""WATER IS THE BEST, SODA IS OKAY BUT ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES CAN ACTUALLY MAKE YOU MORE DEHYDRATED."

Symptoms of dehydration include fatigue and light headedness.

Advance stages include a stop to sweating and confusion.

And while, playing the water on a hot day, may keep you cool, it won't keep you from getting dehydrated.

Dr. Brian Hyer/Emergency Room Physician: "EVEN IF YOU ARE SWIMMING YOU WILL NEED TO STAY HYDRATED SO MAKE SURE YOU ARE DRINKING WATER, IT WON'T SOAK THROUGH YOUR SKIN."

Something else a lot of us forget, is putting on the sun screen.

In temperatures like this, it doesn't take long before you can get sunburned.

July 5, 2002