NOT A Dry Heat: Heat Advisory for Today and Friday

The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning until 10 p.m. tomorrow. And it's gonna be hot.

Temperatures are expected to climb above 100 degrees today and tomorrow, meaning it'll feel more like 108 to 118 degrees. The National Weather Service is urging people in the Chicago area to take precautions, especially those who work outdoors. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists the symptoms and treatment for heat stroke, heat exhaustion and other heat-related ailments here: www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress. 

Keep cool with these tips: 

• Go to a public air-conditioned environment, such as libraries, malls or other public buildings.
• Avoid hot foods and heavy meals—they add heat to your body. 
• Drink plenty of fluids and replace salts and minerals in your body. Do not take salt tablets unless under medical supervision. 
• Dress infants and children in cool, loose clothing and shade their heads and faces with hats or an umbrella. 
• Limit sun exposure during mid-day hours and in places of potential severe exposure, such as beaches. 
• Provide plenty of fresh water for your pets, and leave the water in a shady area. 

Do not: 

• Direct the flow of portable electric fans toward yourself when room temperature is hotter than 90 degrees.
• Never leave infants, children, or pets in a parked car, where temperatures can rapidly climb to fatal levels. 
• Drink alcohol to try to stay cool.
• Eat heavy, hot, or hard-to-digest foods.
• Wear heavy, dark clothing.

More information about coping with extreme heat is available by visiting the Health Department’s website at www.kanehealth.com/heat.htm.