Heat Awareness Day in Iowa has come at no better time, as the Raccoon Valley Radio listening area saw record high temperatures Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

As hot and humid weather can cause illness and possible death with heat exhaustion and heat stroke, especially with the dangers that vehicles can cause for children and pets, Adair and Guthrie County Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Kempf shares why this day is observed, “Just to heighten people’s awareness as a fact that we’re getting to the time of year to where we can have temperatures that are in the range to where it can affect folks that are without air conditioning, those that are susceptible to being outside in the heat when our heat indexes and stuff get to the higher amounts.”

While this week has already brought 90 degree temperature indexes, Kempf recommends some ways to take care of your body are to eat well-balanced light meals, drink plenty of water regularly, and limit intake of alcoholic beverages, as they can cause dehydration. You can hear more about Heat Awareness Day from Kempf in Wednesday’s Let’s Talk Guthrie County program at raccoonvalleyradio.com.