Now is a good time to freshen up on some of those heat safety tips we remind you of every year.

What You Need To Know

  • Limit your time outdoors during periods of extreme heat

  • Drink plenty of water, and take breaks from outdoor activities

  • Make an effort to check up on kids, pets and the elderly

First, limiting time outdoors on hot days is always a good idea. This is especially true on days where humidity is high. On these days, the actual air temperature isn't as relevent as what it feels like: the heat index.

A heat index value is a calculation of what it actually feels like when humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature.

Once heat index values go above 105 degrees, this is when it become dangerous and heat disorders are likely to occcur. The official National Weather Service Heat Index chart can be seen below:

If you have to spend extended periods of time outdoors, make sure you have access to what you'll need.

This includes having plenty of water. Stay hydrated all the time. Make sure you can take plenty of breaks, and also have access to shade. Being in direct sunlight is where heat disorders like heat stroke are mostly likely to occur.

Another very important action to take: Check up on your kids, pets and the elderly. Never leave pets or anyone in a car unattended during periods of high heat.

Dozens of kids and pets die every year because they are left in vehicles during high heat. Make sure to look back behind you before exiting the vehicle to make sure you are not leaving anyone behind.

Temperatures rise rapidly in vehicles on hot days, and this could lead to fatalities. Cracking windows does not make a difference.

Summer is a season to enjoy, and as long as you do the right things, you shouldn't have to worry. Hope you enjoy the warmer weather that we will find plenty of over the next months. Enjoy, and be safe.

More information on heat safety from the National Weather Service can be found here.