Extreme heat to set in mid-week

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Tuesday and an excessive heat watch for Wednesday through Thursday.

A heat advisory is issued within 12 hours of the onset of conditions that include a heat index of at least 105 degrees but less than 115 degrees for less than three hours per day, or nighttime lows above 80 degrees for two consecutive days.

An excessive heat watch is issued when heat indices in excess of 105 degrees during the day, combined with nighttime low combined with nighttime low temperatures of 80 degrees or higher are forecast to occur for two consecutive days.

The National Weather Service in Chicago recommends that residents limit outdoor activity, drink plenty of fluids, make arrangements to be in air conditioning as much as possible and stay our of the sun. Residents should also wear lightweight clothing, take cool showers/baths and check on vulnerable relatives and neighbors.

Children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles.

During heat waves, people are susceptible to three heat related conditions:

• Heat cramps—look for heaving sweating with muscle pain or spasms, and then move to a cool place, drink water or a sports drink, and get medical help if cramps last longer than one hour or the affected person has a heart condition.

• Heat exhaustion—look for heavy sweating, cold and clammy skin, irregular pulse, nausea or vomiting, muscle cramps, weakness or dizziness. Move to a cool place, loosen tight clothing, cool the body using wet cloths, sip water slowly and get medical help if vomiting occurs, symptoms last longer than one hour or get worse, or confusion develops.

• Heat stroke—look for high body temperatures [104 degrees or higher], hot or red skin, irregular pulse, dizziness or nausea. Seek immediate medical attention [which may mean calling 911], move to a cool place, cool the body with wet clothes and do not give the person anything to drink.