Ways to stay cool and safe this summer

CINCINNATI - The start of the summer began with scorching temperatures and the Cincinnati Health Department released ways to keep you and your family cool and safe.

Wednesday, volunteers at Vineyard Church in Springdale spent the hot day outside passing out free water to help people in the Tri-State stay hydrated.

"We just want to be able to express that we think about people and the things that go on in our lives even if it's just being thirsty on a hot day," said Katherine Sparky, a volunteer with Vineyard Church. "Oh, it's perfect timing it seems to be every year, because we sponsor this event every year and have at least up to 700 teenagers coming out, we'll be doing this all week long."

Rocky Merz with the Cincinnati Health Department says those who are elderly, children and have chronic diseases are the most at risk for heat exhaustion.

"It's very important that to keep yourself hydrated, limited your use of alcoholic beverages, stay indoors in air conditioning or in a cool basement particularly during the hot hours of the day," Merz explained.

To avoid heat  stress or heat related illness, Cincinnati citizens are advised to take the following precautions:

• Drink plenty of water, even if not thirsty
• Avoid alcoholic beverages; alcohol can increase a person's risk to heat related illnesses
• Decrease physical activity such as yard work or exercise. Activities should occur in the morning or in the evening. Stay in shade as much as possible
• Individuals with chronic health problems, such as heart disease or lung problems, should minimize activities because the heat will add additional stress
• Extra caution should be taken for the elderly and young infants and children to assure that they are protected from the heat
• Check on those who may need assistance
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose, cotton clothing
• Eat light meals
• Children and pets should not be left unattended in closed vehicles. Temperatures quickly rise to dangerous levels
• Use air conditioning, or spend time in a cool basement
• Keep in mind fans are only effective when they are bringing in cool air. When the relative humidity is high, the evaporative cooling of sweat is diminished