Hot temperatures and a 20 percent chance of more thunderstorms are forecast for upcoming days in Chicago. City Officials remind the public to be aware of the sign and symptoms of heat-related conditions such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion. City Officials also urge the public to utilize City of Chicago resources to keep cool and safe on days when the temperature and heat index are dangerously high.

Since Wednesday, June 26, OEMC has been working around the clock with city officials and partner agencies to monitor weather and heat-related issues and coordinate response. Dr. Bechara Choucair, commissioner of Chicago Department of Public Health recommends everyone follow five basic prevention tips to protect themselves during extreme heat:

• Be sure and drink plenty of water, at least eight glasses of water a day, more if you’re exercising — avoid caffeine, alcohol or and sugary drinks, these actually cause you to lose more body fluid.
• Keep your body cool—take an occasional cool bath or shower. If you are disabled or have mobility limitations that prevent you from taking a bath or shower, use cool, wet towels or washcloths to cool your skin.
• Avoid going out in the heat during the hottest part of the day. Find a way to get into an air-conditioned home or a cool part of the house, like the basement. If you don’t have access to air conditioning and you are concerned about your health, pick up the phone and call 311 to find the nearest cooling center.
• If you have to go out, wear light, loose-fitting clothing—and wear a hat to protect your head.
• Importantly, remember to check on relatives, friends and neighbors who are elderly or otherwise vulnerable and share these tips with them or call 3-1-1 to request well-being checks and rides to cooling centers.