With record highs hitting the thermometer this summer, it is important to keep your cool or you could become sick.

Heat illnesses - specifically Heat exhaustion and heat stroke - are serious conditions that may affect your body if you are exposed to too much heat.

Protect yourself from heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Protecting yourself from heat exhaustion and heat stroke is easy to do, just follow a few precautions:

Purchase an A/C unit and fans.

If it’s really hot outside, then you can bet that your home will heat up like a frying pan regardless of the insulation in the walls. Purchase a portable A/C unit and fans to keep at least one room cool in the house. If you are unable to purchase these items, there are many organizations that provide them free of charge (check your local newspaper or call your local police department’s non-emergency phone line), or you can spend your days at the library, shopping malls and other public locations that have A/C units running non-stop.

If possible, stay indoors during the hottest times of the day.

It is best to avoid the hottest period of a summer day – which is from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Stay in an air conditioned home to keep yourself cool. If you have things to do outside, do it in the early morning or save it for the evening time.

Drink plenty of water.

If you can’t avoid being outside in the summertime, make sure you drink plenty of water. Hydration is one key way to stay safe in the hot summer sun.

Cool your neck and pulse points.

Take advantage of the garden hose and douse your neck and wrists with cool water periodically throughout the day. If you are wearing a hat, fill it with cold water and place on your head. This will help lower your temperature.

Wear light, loose-fitting clothes.

If you have to be outside, it is best to wear light colored, lightweight fabrics that fit loosely on your body.

If you feel a muscle spasm, go indoors.

Heat cramps are the first signs that the heat is adversely affecting your body. Go inside where air conditioning is available, drink some water and gently massage the affected muscle.

Observe others.

If you are outdoors with a group of people, keep an eye on them as well. You never know when someone may become ill due to the heat, and the sooner you spot the beginnings of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, the better.