Falls Church City urges residents to seek relief from the heat, especially those without electricity or air conditioning.

Falls Church City urges residents to seek relief from the heat, especially those without electricity or air conditioning. The City offers the following tips to beat the heat:

1. Stay indoors when possible. If you live in a home or apartment without fans or air conditioning, take steps to lower your chance of heat problems: open windows at night; create cross-ventilation by opening windows on two sides of the building; cover windows when they are in direct sunlight; and try to spend at least two hours of the day some place air-conditioned, such as the Falls Church Community Center (223 Little Falls St., Falls Church) and the Mary Riley Styles Public Library (120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church).

2. Dress for the heat. Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing. It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella.

3. Drink water. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body.

4. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually between 4 and 7 a.m.

5. Take regular breaks when engaged in physical activity. Take time out to find a cool place. If you recognize that you, or someone else, are showing the signals of a heat-related illness, stop activity and find a cool place.

6. Pay attention to weather reports. You are more at risk as the temperature or humidity rises or when an air quality index alert is in effect.

Being hot for too long can cause several heat-related conditions, signs of which can include sudden dizziness, a painful tightening of muscles, becoming disoriented, nausea and swelling of the feet and ankles.

Pets can also suffer from heat exhaustion and heat stroke. As with humans, these conditions are very serious and could cause your pet to die. Pets should be provided with plenty of water and shade for so they can stay cool when outside. Neither children nor or petsshould be left inside a car – which can reach 120 degrees in a matter of minutes, even if parked in the shade.

For more summer safety information, visit www.fallschurchva.gov.