As forecasters predict temperatures reaching into the 90s, and heat indexes even higher, students are advised to keep cool in order to beat the summer heat.

According to heat safety tips offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, prevention is the best defense against heat-related illnesses such as dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

“We see some [heat-related illnesses] but not a lot, and most of those are due to heat exhaustion or dehydration,” said Robyn Engstrom, a staff physician at Iowa State’s Thielen Student Health Center .

People suffering from heat exhaustion may feel lethargic or nauseated and have headaches, Engstrom said, but heat stroke is a more emergency situation where a person’s core body temperature is extremely high — medical attention may be needed immediately.

Some jobs, however, rely on the hot temperatures.

Andrew Ulm, senior in chemistry, is a lifeguard in West Des Moines and said he and fellow lifeguards are advised to take some safety measures.

“We’re supposed to drink a quart of water per hour when the temperatures are over 80 [degrees],” he said. “I also wear a lot of sunscreen.”

Ulm said most patrons at the pool he works at stay fairly hydrated; the only heat injury his staff has seen this season has been from another lifeguard.

Both Engstrom and the CDC Web site advise drinking more fluids as the best precautionary measure against heat-related illnesses and warn that young children and the elderly are at a higher risk to suffer from such illnesses.

Drinking water and sports drinks are a good idea, but stay away from alcoholic and caffeinated beverage as each can dehydrate, she said, but don’t rely on thirst to start re-hydrating.

“I think that by the time you get thirsty, you’re well on you way to being dehydrated so continuously replace water and don’t rely on thirst,” Engstrom said.

Other tips include wearing lightweight clothing, taking cold showers, staying indoors, and if air conditioning is not available, use fans and keep doors and windows open in order to circulate air. Engstrom said it’s hard to predict how someone will react to the hot weather since people have a different state of health to begin with.

“Some people are used to working in the heat and are acclimated so it really depends on who you are and what you’re doing,” she said.

According to the CDC Web site, the CDC recommends anyone who is working outside to limit outdoor activity to morning and evening hours, cut down on exercise and try to rest in shaded places as much as possible.