Heat is a fact of life on the Mississippi Coast, but you don’t have to let it get you down or send you to the ER. Use common sense if you work or play outside, or if you find yourself without air conditioning.

“The most important thing is to be able to recognize the heat danger signs in yourself or others, and know what to do,” said Charles Wise, American Medical Response paramedic and educational specialist whose company answered heat-related calls during the June heat wave.

“Many don’t realize that when working outside in the heat, they can lose a liter of perspiration in just an hour.”

Hyperthermia is the overheating of the body that comes in several steps. One of the first steps is heat cramps, which include cramping of stomach and calves caused from dehydration.

The next step is heat exhaustion, which includes more dehydration, light-headedness, headaches, heavy sweating but claminess and rapid, weak pulse,

In heat stroke, the skin is hot, dry and mottled, body temperature is dangerously high and there can be such signs as dilated pupils, disorientation, rapid and weak pulse, and unconsciousness. Heat stroke can be deadly.

The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says about 688 Americans die each year from heat-related illnesses. In the past five years for which Mississippi State Department has records, there have been 33 Mississippi deaths.

Who is at greatest risk? The experts say infants, children up to 4, adults age 65 and older, people who are overweight, people who are ill and those on certain medications, such as psychotropics and blood pressure medicines.

But anyone, even in good health, can suffer from heat exhaustion or stroke if they don’t follow common sense rules.