Summer heat is on!

Take safety precautions when you must be in the heat!

Summer has arrived with a vengeance, turning up the heat and pushing temperatures around the state to the upper 90s and above 100 degrees in Rome.

There is some relief in the weather forecast with a projected 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms as the weekend approaches.

The high temperatures are often exacerbated by humidity, creating what is called the heat index, a measure of how hot it feels. The sultry heat, made worse by a developing drought, will likely continue for the next few months, posing potentially serious health threats.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, people suffer heat-related illness when their bodies are unable to compensate and properly cool themselves. The body normally cools itself by sweating. But, under some conditions, sweating just isn't enough. In such cases, a person's body temperature rises rapidly.

Very high body temperatures may damage the brain or other vital organs. Several different heat-related illnesses can occur, including heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke or sunstroke, which can be fatal.

Heat-related deaths are preventable, however, and

Georgia's citizens should

be aware of who is at

greatest risk and what

actions can be taken to prevent a heat-related illness or death. The elderly, the very young, and people with mental illness and chronic diseases are at highest risk. However, even young and healthy individuals can succumb to heat if

they participate in strenuous physical activities during hot weather.

The CDC offers some pointers on how to deal with the heat:

 Drink plenty of fluids - During hot weather you will need to increase your fluid intake, regardless of your activity level. Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink. During heavy exercise in a hot environment, drink two to four glasses (16-32 ounces) of cool fluids each hour. If you have a medical condition, consult your doctor.

 Replace salt and minerals - Heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from the body. These are necessary for your body and must be replaced. If you exercise or work outside, drink two to four glasses of cool, non-alcoholic fluids each hour. A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. However, if you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage or taking salt tablets.

 Wear appropriate clothing and sunscreen

Wear as little clothing as possible when you are at home. Choose lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat along with sunglasses, and sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher.

 Schedule outdoor activities carefully. If you must be outdoors, try to limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.

 Pace Yourself If you are not accustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment, start slowly and pick up the pace gradually.

 Children and pets should never be left alone in parked vehicles, particularly during hot weather. Temperatures can rise well above 100 degrees, causing death or serious injury.