Summer is a wonderful season to spend time outdoors with family and friends. But when it's extremely hot or humid, your body can't cool itself well. This may lead to a serious heat-related illness.

Keep Cool in Hot Weather
To avoid becoming overheated, keep these five tips in mind:

1. Know your risk. Adults ages 65 and older, people who are overweight or have health conditions, and those who take certain medications may be more likely to develop heat-related illness.
2. Stay hydrated. Don't wait until you're thirsty to replenish fluids. When you're active on a hot day, try to drink two to four glasses of water every hour. But avoid alcoholic, caffeinated and sugary beverages. They may make you more dehydrated. If your doctor has told you to limit fluids, ask him or her how much you should drink.
3. Keep cool. Spending at least two hours a day in air-conditioning reduces the risk for heat-related illness. If your home isn't air-conditioned, stroll through the mall, see a movie or go to the library.
4. Use common sense with kids. Have them come inside for fre - quent breaks. And never leave a child — or pet — in a closed car.
5. Watch for symptoms. Heavy sweating; cool, moist, pale or flushed skin; headache; nausea; and dizziness may indicate heat exhaustion. This may lead to heat-stroke, a life-threatening condition. If you have these symptoms, go to a cooler place; loosen clothing; and put cool, wet cloths on your skin. Slowly drink water.

Signs of heatstroke include dry, red, hot skin; a rapid, weak pulse; and fast, shallow breathing. The person may be confused or even lose consciousness. If you think someone has heatstroke, call 911 or your local emergency number. Don't give the person any food or drink if he or she is vomiting, delirious or unconscious. But do move him or her to a cooler place. Remove the person's clothes, apply cool, wet compresses, and use a fan if possible.

Take Our Summer Safety Quiz
Test your warm-weather knowledge with a quiz on heatstroke. Go to www.paramounthealthcare.com and click on "Better Health for Life," "Interactive Tools," "Quizzes" and "Heat Stroke Quiz."