While we encourage all area children still on summer vacation to get out and enjoy their remaining days off before school starts, it’s an important time for everyone to be mindful of the extreme heat.

With many school sports teams starting their seasons and fitting in practices, it’s vital that all coaches keep a close eye on their players and cut practices short if the heat becomes too much.

Even though the National Weather Service’s heat warning ended Tuesday, temperatures are expected to hover in the upper 80s and low 90s through this weekend.

Everyone needs to give thought to their personal safety, drinking plenty of water, avoiding exertion during the hottest part of the day and generally staying cool.

Along with keeping a close eye on children, we encourage everyone to keep their pets safe. We were saddened to hear a few reports yesterday of police responding to dogs left in cars. When temperatures reach the 90s, vehicles can turn dangerously hot in a few minutes.

We encourage everyone to take a moment and review the weather service’s symptoms of heat related illnesses.

• Heat cramps: Painful cramps and spasms usually in legs and abdomen, heavy sweating.

• Heat exhaustion: heavy sweating; weakness; cool, pale, clammy skin; weak pulse; muscle cramps; dizziness; nausea and vomiting; fainting.

• Heat stroke: altered mental state, throbbing headache; confusion; nausea; dizziness; shallow breathing, high body temperature; skin may be hot and dry, or person may be sweating; Rapid pulse; possible unconsciousness.