The intense heat this week is raising concerns with health officials in Georgia as hospitals across the state are seeing an increase in heat-related patient cases.

The Georgia Department of Public Health says that the public should be aware of the dangers of heat, which is one of the leading weather-related causes of death in the U.S., according to the National Weather Service.  Georgia Public Health Commissioner Kathleen Toomey said she’s concerned about hospital capacity at a meeting of the state board of health earlier this week.

“There’s just extraordinary health impact of this kind of weather after what was a relatively mild spring,” she said. “This is a significant impact on our hospitals as well when you have this number of people coming in with heat-related complications.”

The most at-risk from heat are elderly people, infants and children, people with chronic health conditions or who are pregnant, outdoor workers and people with low incomes who don’t have — or can’t afford to run — an air conditioner.

Health officials recommend that people familiarize themselves with the symptoms of heat-related illness and check in on neighbors and others who are vulnerable.

The Georgia Department of Public Health shares these tips on how to stay safe in the heat:

  • Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothes
  • Stay in the AC as much as possible. If you don’t have AC at home, visit a friend who does, or go to the mall or a library or somewhere else where it’s cool. Even a few hours in the AC can give you time to recover before going back out into the heat.
  • Electric fans help — to a point. Once it gets over 90 degrees, a cool bath or shower is better.
  • Don’t leave any humans or pets in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked. Call 911 if you see someone locked in a hot car.
  • Avoid using appliances that can make your house warmer, like the oven or stove.
  • If possible, limit your outdoor activity to the morning and evening.
  • Cut back on exercise, take more breaks and stay hydrated.
  • When you’re outside, wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and SPF-15 or greater sunscreen.
  • Drink lots of water even before you get thirsty
  • Check in at least twice a day on people who are working in extreme heat, or who are vulnerable to heat illness.
  • If you have pets outside, make sure they have access to fresh cold water and shade. Shade from tarps or from trees is the best; a doghouse can make the heat even worse, since it limits airflow.