Updated at 10:15 a.m.

With temperatures reaching dangerous levels this week, it’s important for Florissant, St. Louis area residents to be mindful of taking care of yourselves and others around you.

Dr. Dolores J. Gunn, director of the St. Louis County Health Department, gave some tips to remember during the dangerous heat in a press release, including:

• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Spend as little time as possible in the sun and keep activity levels to a minimum.
• Drink plenty of cool, non-alcoholic beverages, especially those without sugar or caffeine.
• Take regular breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned room.
• Eat light, easily digested foods, avoiding hot, heavy, or greasy meals.
• Be sure not to leave food unrefrigerated for long because food spoils rapidly in the heat.
• Take care of those who might not be aware of the danger or able to react accordingly –especially young children and the elderly.  Check on your neighbors and relatives if they may be vulnerable or do not have air conditioning.
• Know the signs of heat exhaustion.  If someone becomes dizzy, nauseated, or sweats heavily, find a cooler location for him or her immediately.
• Know the signs of heat stroke.  Heat stroke is much more serious than heat exhaustion.  The symptoms are similar to heat exhaustion, but also include hot, flushed skin, and normally sweating stops.  If heat stroke is a possibility, call 911 immediately.  Heat stroke is life threatening!

In Florissant, the St. Louis County Library, Florissant Valley and Jamestown Bluffs branches will serve as cooling designations, according to the United Way’s 211 website.

Thursday morning, the City of Florissant announced that the James J. Eagan and John F. Kennedy centers will serve as cooling stations during their regular business hours.

The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for Thursday through Sunday.