The American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania offers heat safety tips:

• Stay hydrated by drinking a cup of water every hour, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid sugary, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks.

• Stay cool by spending time in air-conditioned places. If your home is too hot, go to a mall, library or cooling center.

• Stay connected by checking on others and asking for help if you need it.

“Knowing what to do to protect yourself and loved ones from extreme heat can save lives,” Jorge Martinez, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania, said. “We’re asking everyone to check on friends and neighbors, especially older adults, people with chronic conditions, outdoor workers and athletes. You could make all the difference by sending a text, making a call or knocking on their door.”

According to the Red Cross, anyone can become ill during extreme heat if their body can’t cool down properly. It’s critical to act fast as some types of heat illness can be deadly.

Signs of heat illness

• Heat cramps are signaled by heavy sweating and muscle pain. Take action by stopping what you’re doing, resting in a cool place and slowly sipping water. Don’t drink if you feel sick, and get medical help if cramps last over an hour or you have heart problems.

• Heat exhaustion is signaled by heavy sweating, weakness, cool and clammy skin, muscle cramps, dizziness, fainting, nausea or vomiting. Take action by stopping what you’re doing, resting in a cool place and slowly sipping water. Don’t drink if you feel sick. Loosen your clothes and place a cool wet cloth on your body. Get medical help if you don’t feel better, vomit or have heart problems.

• Heat stroke is a deadly condition signaled by high body temperature, rapid heartbeat, confusion, headache, dizziness, fainting, nausea or vomiting. Call 911. Move to a cooler place, remove extra clothing and use a wet cloth or a cool bath to cool down. Don’t drink anything.