Tips to stay safe in the extreme heat | Families

With temperatures on the rise, the American Red Cross Mile High Chapter urges residents to take precautions against the heat.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 400 Americans die each year due to summer's sweltering heat.

Everyone is at risk when temperatures rise above 90 degrees; and the elderly and the very young are most susceptible to heat and heat-related illnesses.

Signs of heat-related illnesses include nausea, dizziness, flushed or pale skin, heavy sweating and headaches. Persons with heat-related illnesses should be moved to a cool place, given cool water to drink and ice packs or cool wet cloths should be applied to the skin.

If a victim refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number immediately.

- Prepare. Discuss heat safety precautions with members of your household. Have a plan for what to do if the power goes out.

-Dress for the heat. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun's rays. It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella.

-Stay hydrated. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine, which dehydrate the body.

-Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat.

-Slow down and avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4 and 7 a.m. Take frequent breaks.

-Stay indoors when possible. If air-conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine. Remember that electric fans do not cool, they simply circulate the air.

-Be a good neighbor. During heat waves, check in on family, friends and neighbors who are elderly or ill and those who do not have air conditioning. Check on your animals frequently, too, to make sure they are not suffering from the heat.