One school district that is letting students go home early is Fairborn. School officials said students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade will be dismissed two hours early Wednesday because those buildings have no air conditioning. Fairborn High School students will stay on a normal schedule because the high school has air conditioning.

Local school officials said they are doing what they can to make sure the students stay cool and hydrated. They are using fans, ice and encouraging students to drink plenty of water.

Storm Center 7 Chief Meteorologist Jamie Simpson said temperatures will remain in the 90s through Thursday, but a cold front on Friday will drop temperatures for the weekend back into the 70s.

Public Health stresses that everyone needs to take precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses. Physical activity should be limited during the hottest part of the day.

Public Health recommends that everyone pay particular attention to the following suggestions:

HEAT: * Drink plenty of water * Decrease physical activity * Use air conditioning, if available * Wear loose, lightweight clothing * Eat light meals * Cool down with showers, baths and recreational swimming * Adjust blinds to keep out the sun * Use your basement during the hottest part of the day * Use a circulating fan * Be a good neighbor and check on those who may need assistance * Individuals with chronic health problems, should minimize activities * Extra caution should be taken with the elderly * Children and pets should not be left unattended in any vehicle

AIR QUALITY: If air quality is poor, make sure you do your part:

* Reduce driving when necessary * Do not use lawnmowers, weed trimmers and other gasoline engines during the heat of the day * Keep you vehicle well-maintained * Eliminate open burns

** There are three major forms of heat illnesses, these being heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Heat cramps are muscle spasms which usually affect the arms, legs, or stomach. Frequently, cramps do not occur until sometime later after work, at night, or when relaxing. Heat cramps are caused by heavy sweating, especially when water is replaced by drinking, absent the salt or potassium you also lost.

Although heat cramps can be quite painful, they usually do not result in permanent damage. To prevent them, drink electrolyte solutions such as many of the "sports drinks" on the market today and try eating more fruits, like bananas.

Heat exhaustion is more serious than heat cramps. It occurs when the body's internal air-conditioning system is overworked, but has not completely shut down. In heat exhaustion, the surface blood vessels and capillaries collapse from loss of body fluids and necessary minerals.

This occurs when you do not drink enough fluids to replace what you are sweating away. The symptoms of heat exhaustion include headache, heavy sweating, intense thirst, dizziness, fatigue, loss of coordination, nausea, impaired judgment, loss of appetite, hyperventilation, tingling in hands or feet, anxiety, cool moist skin, weak and rapid pulse (120-200), and lower than normal blood pressure.

Individuals suffering from these symptoms should be moved to a cool location, such as a shaded area or an air-conditioned building. Have them lie down with their feet slightly elevated. Loosen their clothing, apply cool, wet cloths or fan them. Have them drink water or electrolyte drinks. Try to cool them down, and have them checked by medical personnel. Victims of heat exhaustion should avoid strenuous activity for at least a day, and they should continue to drink water to replace lost body fluids.

Heat stroke is a life-threatening illness with a high death rate. It occurs when the body has depleted its supply of water and salt, and the victim's body temperature rises to deadly levels. A heat stroke victim may first suffer heat cramps and/or heat exhaustion before progressing into the heat stroke stage, but this is not always the case. It should be noted that heat stroke is sometimes mistaken as a heart attack.

It is therefore very important to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat stroke and to check for them when a family member or co-worker collapses while working in a hot environment. The early symptoms of heat stroke include a high body temperature (103 degrees F.); a distinct absence of sweating (usually); hot red or flushed dry skin; rapid pulse; difficulty breathing; constricted pupils; any and all of the signs of heat exhaustion; bizarre behavior; and high blood pressure.

Advanced symptoms may include seizures or convulsions, collapse, loss of consciousness, and a body temperature of over 108 degrees F. It is vital to lower a heat stroke victim’s body temperature. Seconds count. Pour water on them, fan them, or apply cold packs. Call 911 and get an ambulance on the way as soon as possible.

Remember, heat illnesses can strike anyone, but a few simple precautions can help prevent them:

* Condition yourself for working in a hot environment. Start slowly, then build up to more physical work. Allow your body to adjust over a few days. * Drink lots of liquids. Do not wait until you are thirsty. By then, there is a good chance you are already on your way to being dehydrated. Electrolyte drinks are good for replacing both water and minerals lost through sweating. Never drink alcohol and avoid caffeinated beverages like coffee and pop. * Take a break if you are getting a headache or you start feeling overheated. Cool off for a few minutes before going back to work. * Wear lightweight, light colored clothing when working out in the sun. * Take advantage of fans and air-conditioners * Get enough sleep at night.

With a little caution and common sense………you can avoid heat illnesses.