Here’s how to keep you and your pets safe during extreme heat

With temperatures reaching over 90 degrees on a regular basis, it’s important to remember to stay safe and keep pets safe.

Heat-related illnesses happen when the body isn’t able to cool itself.

Officials say seniors, small children, people with physical disabilities and pets are the most vulnerable to heat-related illness but everyone should take steps to stay safe.

The Minneapolis Public Health Department offered the following tips:

• Drink more fluids: Drinking fluids helps the body cool itself. Don’t wait until feeling thirsty to drink, but avoid liquids with caffeine, alcohol or large amounts of sugar, as they can actually cause your body to lose more fluids.
• Never leave any person or animals in a parked vehicle: Temps in vehicles can exceed 120 degrees in a matter of minutes, even with windows partially open, and can cause serious health problems or death.
• Wear lightweight, loose-fitted clothing.
• Check on family, friends and neighbors who may be at risk: Officials urge people to visit seniors and vulnerable neighbors at least twice a day to check closely for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Seek medical care immediately if you or someone you know experiences symptoms of heat sickness.
• Take an air conditioning break: If your home or vehicle isn’t air-conditioned, officials recommend spending time in public facilities with air conditioning.
• Limit outdoor activity, especially midday when the sun is hottest.
• Don’t rely on an electric fan: When temperatures are in the 90s, fans don’t prevent heat-related illness. Use wet cloths, showers, baths or a spray of mist on exposed skin to help cool body temp.
• Check on your pets: Keep pets inside and out of direct sunlight and be sure they have enough clean, cool water.

Anyone who sees an animal outside or in a vehicle exhibiting signs of heat stress can contact Minneapolis Animal Care & Control at 311 or at 612-673-3000.

Service providers throughout the metro are also reporting long wait times for getting work done on air conditioners. Click here to see some tips for keeping air conditioners running.