BOISE, Idaho — More than five weeks remain before summer's official start, and even though extreme heat hasn't arrived in the Gem State yet, it is better to prepared for the upcoming rise in temperatures.
Extreme heat causes more deaths each year than hurricanes, lightning, tornados and floods combined, according to the National Weather Service.
Health officials say staying cool is one way to beat the heat. Find an air-conditioned shelter if possible. If you have to be outside, avoid direct sunlight and try to find some shade, wear lightweight and light-colored clothing, take cool showers or baths, and do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device.
The next thing to keep in mind is staying hydrated, drinking more water than usual, don't wait to be thirsty to drink more fluids, avoid drinks that contain high amounts of sugar and remind others to drink enough water.
The last thing is to stay informed with extreme heat alerts and safety tips and learn the symptoms of heat-related illnesses.
"Always be wary of the heat. It sneaks up on you,” Ada County Paramedics Battalion Chief Brandon LaRosa said. “Try to go early, or later in the evening. You don't want to be out when it's 108 (degrees) at peak heat in that type of stuff, because it's really hard to stay hydrated.”
The two types of heat-related illnesses are heat stroke and heat exhaustion. You might be experiencing a heat stroke if your body temperature reaches or surpasses 103 degrees. Other symptoms include nausea, headaches, thirst and a fast and strong heart rate.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, dizziness, vomiting and cold, pale or clammy skin. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention says you should seek treatment if such symptoms worsen or last more than an hour.
Another thing health officials say is important to remember – never leave a child or a pet in the car – even though temperatures have only reached the 80s. Officials say vehicles can get up to 100 to 115 degrees within 10 minutes.
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