The heat of summer is a grave risk for older adults. The National Safety Council offers easy to apply guidelines to outsmart the heat when the thermometer rises. Its advice offsets the serious health risks that adults with chronic medical conditions encounter.

Risks include lack of fluids, absence of air-conditioning, excessive clothing, overcrowded places, physical inactivity and access to transportation.To avoid the risks of heat and humidity, the council suggests wearing appropriate clothing, putting on a wide-brimmed hat, taking frequent water breaks, applying sunscreen and never leaving a child or pet unattended in a vehicle.Older adults need to remain indoors where it's cool. For those living without air conditioning, visit public places like the local library, the shopping mall, the senior center or movie theaters.If you're under or overweight or drinking alcoholic beverages, you could be vulnerable to heat-induced illnesses. Watch out for severe cramping, nausea, headache, extreme thirst, weakness, dizziness and confusion.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says an older body has difficulties regulating its temperature. The elderly, the young, the obese, and individuals living with compromised immune systems are at greater risk, especially individuals taking antihistamines, antipsychotic medications and cocaine. High humidity interferes with the evaporation of sweat.If you're 65 and over, be cautious and pay attention to the warning signs of a heat stroke: Body temperature at or over 103 degrees; dry (hot and red) skin; fast pulse; excruciating headache; dizziness, vomiting, and nausea; extreme sweating; a light or whitish-colored skin; severe muscle cramps; weakness; dizziness; cold and wet skin.If you suspect a heat stroke, you must get immediate treatment to avoid organ damage.• Call 911 immediately and give first aid until EMS arrives.• Cool down the victim. Take them to a shady area and remove some of the clothing. Apply warmish water to the skin and fan the person to promote sweating and evaporation. Put ice packs under the armpits and groin area.• If the victim can drink liquids, give them cool water. Do not give them caffeine or alcohol.• Monitor their temperature with a thermometer and continue with the cool-down efforts until the temperature reaches 101 to 102 degrees.• The best time to avoid heat exposure is during the hottest part of the day, around noontime.To prevent heat stroke, drink lots of fluids to avoid dehydration and lessen vigorous activities in hot and humid weather.Carol Marak is the editor at SeniorCare.com.