Although the South is blessed with warm and pleasant temperatures through most of the year, summer brings with it, as in most of the country, the threat of particularly high temperatures and severe heat waves.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excessive heat exposure caused 8,015 deaths in the United States from 1979 to1999. During this period, more people in this country died from extreme heat than from hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods and earthquakes combined.

Exposure to extreme heat can make people seriously ill, and unchecked heat-related illnesses may become a serious problem in a short period of time. Heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat strokes are conditions caused by overexposure to heat resulting in the body being unable to properly cool itself.

For people dealing with hot weather, the CDC offers the following tips:

• Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks because they promote dehydration.

• Find shade or air conditioning if possible. Even two hours of air conditioning each day can significantly reduce the risk of heat-related illness.

• Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.

• Avoid strenuous jobs and exercising in the heat.

Although anyone at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. Check regularly on infants and young children, people aged 65 or older, people who have a mental illness, and those who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure.