Wow, it’s hot.

Extreme heat events in Minnesota are already occurring and are expected to become more common, more severe, and longer-lasting as our climate changes.

Protect your health during high heat and humidity:

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Slow down, stay indoors, and avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
• If you need to be outdoors in the heat, limit activities to morning and evening hours, drink plenty of fluids, and take frequent breaks in the shade or an air-conditioned building.
• Never leave children or pets alone in enclosed vehicles, and always “look before you lock.”

Be alert for HEAT EXHAUSTION and treat it immediately. Symptoms include muscle cramps, heavy sweating, flushed skin, headache, nausea, dizziness and a rapid heart rate. To treat it: Move to a cooler area, drink cool water or sports drinks, and rest. If symptoms last longer than one hour, seek medical attention.

HEAT STROKE is more severe – when the body can no longer cool itself, that needs serious, immediate medical attention. Symptoms are hot skin, headache, confusion, seizure, irritability, changes in consciousness, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting and an oral body temperature of 104 degrees and above. For heat stroke symptoms, call 911 right away.

Learn more about extreme heat in Minnesota and how it affects our health with this information from Minnesota Department of Health.