The best defense is prevention. Here are some prevention tips:

• Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Don'twait until you're thirsty to drink. Warning: If your doctor generally limitsthe amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask him how much youshould drink while the weather is hot.
• Don't drink liquids thatcontain caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar-these actually cause youto lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks, because they can causestomach cramps.
• Stay indoors and, if atall possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have airconditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library-even a few hours spentin air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into theheat. Call your local health department to see if there are any heat-reliefshelters in your area.
• Electric fans may providecomfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not preventheat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to anair-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.
• Wear lightweight,light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• NEVER leave anyone in aclosed, parked vehicle.
• Although any one at anytime can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk thanothers. Check regularly on:
  • Infants and young children
  • People aged 65 or older
  • People who have a mental illness
  • Those who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high bloodpressure
• Visit adults at risk atleast twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Infants and young children, of course, need much more frequentwatching.

If you must be out in the heat:

• Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
• Cut down on exercise. Ifyou must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids eachhour. A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat.Warning: If you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking asports beverage. Remember the warning in the first "tip" (above),too.
• Try to rest often in shadyareas.
• Protect yourself from thesun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat (also keeps you cooler) and sunglasses and byputting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say"broad spectrum" or "UVA/UVB protection" on their labels).