Today has been designed as Iowa Heat Awareness Day by the National Weather Service and Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

It aims to inform the public on how heat waves can impact them, ahead of the hottest days of summer.

Kurt Kotenberg with the National Weather Services tells Raccoon Valley Radio with high temperatures in the 90s expected to continue through early next week, now is the time to think about what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones this summer.

“Heat is typically the leading cause of weather related fatalities every year so people really need to be aware of it.  Job sites (where you are) working out doors, make sure you stay hydrated, take breaks in the shade as often as possible, it’s obviously cooler in the shade.  If you can, try to get indoors and take a little bit of a break if you’re out working in your garden or at home mowing the lawn.  Go inside, take a little bit of a break and cool down.  Doing that and staying hydrated are the key things.”

The National Weather Service also recommends wearing lightweight, loose fitting and light colored clothing to reflect sunlight, eating light and easy to digest foods and making sure pets and livestock have access to water.