Extreme Heat

Be prepared with tips about heat exhaustion treatment and heat stroke treatment
Summer is a great time to go swimming and enjoy the sun, but this comes with caution. Extreme heat − or five days in a row of temperatures that are 9 degrees above normal − can cause dangerous health issues. However, you can plan ahead to protect yourself and your family.

For your home
Consider making these changes to your home to keep it cool during hot weather:

Install central air conditioning or window air conditioners snugly
Check air-conditioning ducts for proper insulation
Weather-strip doors and windows to keep cool air inside
Use window treatments, such as shades and awnings, to keep extreme heat outside
Keep storm windows up all year
Install temporary window reflectors to reflect heat back outside
For your family
Prevention is the key for heat exhaustion protection. During a heat emergency:

Stay indoors as much as possible, and limit exposure to sun
If you don't have air conditioning, visit somewhere that does, such as a pubic library or shopping mall
If you need to perform physical work or work out, try to save it for early morning or evening hours.
Stay on the lowest floor out of sunshine
Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol; eat well-balanced, light and regular meals
Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible; wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face and neck from the sun
Make certain your pets have a cool place to rest along with plenty of water
Never leave children or pets in closed vehicles
It's especially important to watch older adults, young children and those who are sick or overweight because they're the most likely to suffer from heat cramps, exhaustion or stroke.
Heat cramps
Occur with muscle pain and spasms start due to overuse. (Normally involving the abdominal muscles or legs)

Treatment:

Have victim rest in comfortable position
Lightly stretch the affected muscle and replenish fluids
Give the victim half a glass of cool water every 15 minutes; don't give liquids that have alcohol or caffeine in them
Heat exhaustion
Occurs when people exercise or work in a hot, humid place
Blood flow to the skin increases, restricting blood flow to vital organs causing the victim to go into mild shock
If not treated, the victim will continue to get worse and may suffer heat stroke.
Treatment:

Get the victim out of the heat and into a cooler place
Loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets
Give the victim half a glass of water every 15 minutes, and have the individual drink it slowly; don't give liquids that have alcohol or caffeine in them
Let the victim rest
Heat stroke
A life-threatening condition
The victim's control system that produces sweating to cool the body stops working
When this happens, a victim's body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result.
Treatment:

Call 911 or your local emergency number
Move the victim to a cooler place and quickly cool the body
Immerse the victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around him/her and fan the body
Watch for breathing problems
Continue to have the victim lie down and continuously try to cool the body
If the victim is vomiting, fading in and out of consciousness or refuses water, don't give the individual anything to eat or drink
This extreme heat information is meant to help you make decisions that may reduce your risk. Of course, we can't note every possible risk, and we can't guarantee that these tips will work for you. However, we hope that if you use some of them, you'll better protect your family and yourself.