With temperatures expected to reach more than 100 degrees in July, the Cornhusker Regional Chapter of the American Red Cross has these tips to keep you and your family cool when there’s a heat wave on the horizon.

The National Weather Service issues a heat wave warning when more than 48 hours of high heat (90 degrees F or higher) and high humidity (80 percent relative humidity or higher) are expected. In an average year, more than 175 people in the United States are killed because of the affects of severe heat.

“Preparing for the heat and humidity of a heat wave is crucial,” said Susan Epps, Chief Operating Officer of the Cornhusker Regional Chapter of the Red Cross. “Proper hydration and limiting your time outside are essential to prevent dangerous heat exhaustion and heat stroke, especially for children and the elderly.” To prepare for a heat wave, Epps encourages families to take the following precautions:

If a Heat Wave is Predicted or Happening:
-Slow down. 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 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.

-Stay indoors as much as possible. If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor, out of the sunshine. Try to go to a public building with air conditioning each day for several hours. Remember, electric fans do not cool the air, but they do help sweat evaporate, which cools your body.

-Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun’s energy.

-Drink plenty of water regularly and often. Your body needs water to keep cool.

-Drink plenty of fluids even if you do not feel thirsty.

-Water is the safest liquid to drink during heat emergencies. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them. They can make you feel good briefly, but make the heat's effects on your body worse. This is especially true about beer, which dehydrates the body.

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

Signals of Heat Emergencies:
-Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion is less dangerous than heat stroke. It typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a warm, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Signs include: cool, moist, pale or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness. Body temperatures will be near normal.

-Heat Strokes: Also known as sunstroke, heat stroke is life-threatening. The victim’s temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. Brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Signs of heat stroke include: hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body temperature can be very high – as high as 105 degrees F.

General Care for Heat Emergencies:
1. Cool the body.
2. Give fluids.
3. Minimize shock.

-For heat exhaustion: Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. If the person is fully awake and alert, give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not let him or her drink too quickly. Do not give liquids with alcohol or caffeine in them, as they can make conditions worse. Remove or loosen tight clothing or apply cool, wet cloths. Call 9-1-1 if the person refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness.

-For heat stroke: Heat stroke is life-threatening, so help is needed fast. Call 9-1-1. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Wrap wet sheets around the body. If you have ice packs or cold packs, wrap them in a cloth and place them on each of the person’s wrists and ankles, in the armpits and on the neck to cool the large blood vessels. Watch for signals of breathing problems and make sure the airway is clear.