Heatwave!

A HEALTH warning has been issued by doctors urging people to take precautions as temperatures are set to remain high going into the weekend.

There are a number of ways to prevent overheating and protect yourself and others from heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Here are some recommendations to follow during the next few days:

*Schedule outdoor activities for early morning or early evening.
*Take regular breaks in shady areas or indoors so that your body's thermostat has a chance to recover.
*Avoid direct sunlight whenever possible. Always use sunscreen to reduce the heat your body absorbs and to limit moisture loss. Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. People who work in the sun should take frequent breaks and not push themselves too hard.
*Drink plenty of fluids and don't wait until you're thirsty to drink. If you're doing heavy exercise in the heat, drink two to four glasses of cool fluids each hour. Even when you're swimming, you need to drink plenty of water.
*Don't eat a heavy or hot meal before going outside in hot weather. Doing so will heat your body faster.
*Avoid liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar -- they may cause you to lose more body fluids.
*During hot weather, monitor the condition of family, friends and co-workers, and have someone do the same for you. During a heat wave, relatives and friends should call elderly people twice a day to ask how they're doing.
*Call 911 immediately if you suspect that you or someone else has had a heat stroke, marked by a high body temperature, a rapid pulse, dizziness, confusion, fatigue, headache, seizure and/or hot, dry skin that is flushed but not sweaty.

And remember that if you don't have air conditioning at home the Warren library is the COOLEST place to be!