How you and your family can stay safe as temps climb

The temperatures have been climbing over the past few days, and it isn’t even officially summer!

The most important thing to remember during these hot days is to stay hydrated. The Red Cross recommends 3/4 of a gallon of water daily, but everyone’s needs are different. To stay properly hydrated during the extreme heat, you should drink even more water than normal when you’re outside.

WSBTV spoke with Kaiser Permanente of Georgia’s Dr. Dorie Saxon about how to stay safe this summer. She offered a few hydration hacks for kids:

Dr. Dorie Saxon with Kaiser Permanente of Georgia offers some hydration hacks for kids, and at the top of the list is making water fun.

“It could be a Stanley cup or just a colorful cup, or if it’s labeled where it tells you how many ounces that you’re taking in at a time, so we can make sure that we’re reaching our goals for hydration for that day,” Saxon said.

“We can also add fruits, vegetables, mints to our water to enhance the flavor. So, I like to put in lemons, we can put orange slices, we could put berries, there’s no limit to what fruit or vegetables or mints that you put inside,” she added.

Here are some tips from Ready.gov to stay safe during these super hot days:

• Never leave people or pets in a closed car on a warm day
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing
• Find shade and wear a hat to protect your face
• Avoid high-energy activities or work outdoors
• Consider pet safety. If they’re outside, make sure they have cool water and access to shade. Remember that asphalt and dark pavement can be VERY hot on your pet’s feet