1.Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water or non-alcoholic beverages. Encourage your children and elderly friends and family members to drink often, even if they’re not thirsty.

2.Limit outdoor time. Avoid being outdoors in the sunshine for long periods of time. Use a high SPF (sun protection factor) sunscreen. Restrict any outdoor activities to mornings and evenings. Some medications increase sensitivity to heat and sun so it is important to check with your physician before spending time outdoors.

3.What to wear: Wear lightweight and light-colored clothing.

4.Home tricks: Cover windows that face the morning or afternoon sun. If your home is hot, visit a mall, movie theater or other cool, public facility.

5.Free air conditioning: Local cities have designated community centers as cool spots for the public. Visit the City of Bellevue website for a list of places to cool off.

6.Be neighborly: Check on your elderly neighbors or neighbors with mobility challenges.

7.Car safety: Do not leave infants, children, elderly people or pets in a parked car. Even in the shade with the windows rolled down, the temperatures can rapidly rise to more than 100 degrees in a vehicle.

8.When to ask for help: Symptoms of heat exhaustion include headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps and dizziness. Move the victim to a cooler spot, let them rest and encourage them to drink a cool beverage. Seek medical attention if they don’t feel better in 30 minutes.