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Dallas County residents will be going outside to enjoy many Fourth of July activities including barbecue, swimming, and fireworks.

This weekend, the national weather service issued an Extreme Heat Advisory for most of Central Alabama. As temperatures are projected to reach the upper 90s and lower 100s. With this type of heat Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke are two possibilities if those getting out do not take the proper precautions.

Dr. Raul Pinon, an Emergency Medicine Physician at Vaughn Regional Medical Center, said that it’s important to know the symptoms of heat exhaustion so it can be prevented when going out this weekend.

“When you stop sweating your internal temperature starts to rise because sweat is what your body uses to cool itself off, Pinon said. “If it continues to climb without cooling off, that’s when things like confusion and delirium start to happen.”

The body must be cooled off quickly before further damage can be done according to Pinon.

“The best thing to do is to stay indoors in a cool place and drink plenty of fluids, Pinon said. “If you start sweating profusely get indoors and drink fluids and allow your body to cool off.”

Drinking plenty of water in this kind of heat is important. When our body tells us we need water, it’s actually telling us we are behind on water.

“A good rule of thumb is when your body says hey I’m thirsty you’re actually one liter of water behind,” Pinon said.

According to WSFA, there are other ways to make sure to have a safe and fun holiday weekend.

-Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing

-Drink plenty of water and electrolytes

-Avoid alcohol and caffeine during the day

-Seek A/C or shade as often as possible if outdoors

-Check on neighbors and family members, especially children and the elderly

-Make sure your A/C system is functioning properly

-Keep animals indoors with plenty of available water

-Watch for signs of heat-related illness