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As temperatures continue to be in the 90s this week, chances of heat exhaustion and heat stroke are likely.

Adair and Guthrie County Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Kempf says that heat exhaustion is less dangerous than heat stroke, and includes symptoms like heavy sweating, cold, pale and clammy skin; fast, weak pulse; nausea or vomiting, muscle cramps, dizziness, and fainting. Kempf explains what actions to take when faced with this illness, “If you suspect that you have heat exhaustion the main thing is to get the victim out of the sun, try to lay them down, loosen their clothing, apply a cool damp rag under their arms, the abdomen area, the groin area, things like that. If you can, try to put a fan on them, offer them sips of water. Not a lot of water to drink because you don’t want to cause any nausea or vomiting or things like that.”

If you are throwing up, your symptoms last longer than one hour, or they get worse including a body temperature of 103 degrees or higher; with hot, red, dry, or damp skin and confusion, Kempf says to call 911 right away as heat stroke is a medical emergency. Kemp says to avoid these heat related illnesses, stay in an air-conditioned place as much as possible, and if your home doesn’t have AC he recommends going to your local public library if it is open to the public.