It has been an unpleasantly hot summer in much of the country, with many states already seeing heat waves and the blistering temperatures are expected to stick around .

At the very least, this type of weather makes it nearly impossible to hold outdoor events or complete routine activities like a daily run . In the worst cases, though, hot weather can be deadly, especially for older adults who are more prone to get dehydrated more quickly in excessive heat, said Dr. John Schumann , the Oklahoma-based executive medical director of Oak Street Health.

But there are a range of heat-related conditions that can impact anyone, like heat cramps, dehydration and passing out from the high temperatures. Another is heat exhaustion, which causes thirst, fatigue you can even have mild changes in your mental status, like a little bit of confusion, according to Dr. Martin Huecker , an emergency care doctor at UofL Health in Louisville, Kentucky.

And then when you get to heatstroke, thats the most significant, the most severe form, Huecker added. Thats where you start seeing definite mental status changes, and then what we call a cardiovascular collapse or instability. The vital signs change. The heart rate and blood pressure start to change.

You should immediately call 911 if you notice confusion in someone who has been out in the heat. You should also call 911 if symptoms like heat cramps, heavy sweating or dizziness last more than an hour, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

The U.S. saw the most heat-related deaths ever in 2023 , and with more hot days on the horizon, its important to stay safe. Below, experts share what theyd avoid doing on hot days when keeping safety in mind.

1. They wouldnt just look at the air temperature.

When extreme temperatures are in town, you shouldnt assume theyre no big deal. Instead, you should plan ahead and be aware of the weather forecast, Huecker said.

You can look at UV index and heat index, he noted, referring to measures of ultraviolet radiation and temperature plus humidity. Some days the temperature isnt telling the whole story.

Many weather apps will give you the real feel temperature, which can be higher or lower than the air temperature due to sun, humidity or wind.

When you understand what weather conditions are in store, you can plan appropriately to stay safe from the heat.

2. They wouldnt let themselves get thirsty.

If you reach the point where youre actually thirsty, youre already dehydrated, said Schumann. You should be hydrating enough so that youre not getting thirsty.

When spending time outside on a very hot day, its important to have water or a water-based beverage available, Schumann said. But thats not the only thing your body might need.

If you are sweating a lot, you lose more than just water, Huecker said. Youre losing sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium. When you replenish, you want to replenish more than just water; you want to add electrolytes to it.

You can get a lot of your electrolytes through food, Huecker said, so you might not need sports drinks or other electrolyte products.

But if youre out walking or exercising, doing a two-hour trip outside, and you just wanted to bring some water with you, thats where you might want to throw in electrolytes, Huecker said.

Brands like LMNT , Liquid I.V. and Pedialyte sell electrolyte powders and drinks. Alternatively, you can get as simple as throwing a little bit of sugar or honey with some sea salt [in your water] that has a good amount of sodium chloride and some of the other electrolytes, Huecker said. You dont have to get real fancy and spend a bunch of money.

3. They wouldnt use alcohol to quench their thirst.

It may be common to crack open a cold beer at a summer barbecue or make a frozen cocktail on a sunny day, but Schumann said you should be careful about consuming alcohol when its hot outside.

Moderation is going to be the key. If youre someone who likes to drink, it can be refreshing. But when its this hot out ... alcohol will dehydrate you faster than you otherwise would, Schumann said. If you could avoid drinking, [thats] so much better. And stay with something thats going to keep you hydrated.