The National Disaster Education Coalition offers these tips for avoiding heat-related illness on high-temperature days:

• If your home is hot, go somewhere cooler.

• Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day, since heat affects everyone.

• Some medical conditions and medicines reduce blood circulation and ability to tolerate heat. Talk to your physician about changing medications or other ways to reduce heat.

• Check on those who do not have air conditioning or who are alone.

• Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Loose-fitting is best.

• Consider keeping storm windows throughout the year. They block heat in summer.

• Use shades and awnings to reduce sunlight on windows, which heats a home.

• Postpone outdoor games and recreation.

• Avoid extreme temperature changes, especially for the elderly and very young. Don't take cold showers to cool down.

• Limit exposure to the sun.

• Reduce use of electricity for things besides keeping cool to reduce the chance the power grid will overload.

• Drink plenty of liquids, whether you're thirsty or not. People who have medical restrictions on fluid intake should talk to their doctors before increasing intake. Avoid alcohol and caffeine.

• "Buddy up" when working in extreme heat so you can keep an eye on each other.

• Eat less, more often. Your body turns up the heat to digest meals.

• Never, ever leave children or pets in vehicles. The inside heat can kill within minutes.