Summer-like temperatures are expected this week in Southwest Oklahoma, and the American Red Cross is urging residents to take precautions while outside.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in recent years, excessive heat has caused more deaths than all other weather events, including tornadoes, floods and hurricanes. The Red Cross says the elderly and the very young are the most susceptible to heat and heat-related illness, but everyone is at risk when temperatures rise above 90 degrees. Signs of heat-related illness include nausea, dizziness, flushed or pale skin, heavy sweating and headaches. Anyone with these symptoms should be moved to a cool place, given cool water to drink and ice packs or cool wet cloths should be applied to the skin. If the victim still exhibits signs of illness, you should call 9-1-1 immediately.

For more information check out these Red Cross Heat Wave Safety Tips, and this Red Cross Heat Wave Safety Checklist.

More From KLAW-FM