ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - St. Louis-area health officials are issuing some common sense reminders -- as we venture into the upper 90's over the next few days.
Dr. Tiffany Osborn, an emergency medicine physician at Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes Jewish Hospital says perhaps one of the biggest things to remember during this extreme heat is to stay hydrated.
"You want to make sure you are drinking a lot of water," said Osborn. "Drink before we become thirsty because if you are already thirsty, you might be already behind. And if you know you are going outside or know you are, try to drink water the night and morning before you go out."
Dr. Osborn says you should try to drink one cup of water every 30 minutes if you are planning to be outside for some time, where if you are exercising, or doing other activities and try alternative your fluid intake between water and electrolyte drinks.
Osborn also warns during the extreme heat to be especially aware of metallic surfaces over the next few days if you are outdoors in this extreme heat, warning car doors, seat belt buckles and leather car seats can cause skin burns.
"If you have kids and you are going to the playground, you should do a touch test on the playground equipment so they are not immediately grabbing something that could be really really hot," said Osborn. "Also have them take flip flops on the pool deck because they can burn you feet very very quickly."