If you're worried about staying safe in extreme weather, Racine-area health organizations say heat should be of utmost concern. In light of that, Patch has made this guide to help you get through high temps reaching the 90s this week.

According to the Central Racine County Health Department, heat waves by far have been the biggest weather-related killer in the last half-century. Among the most common heat-related illnesses, they say, are heat exhaustion and heat stroke, both of which have preventative measures.

Heat stroke occurs when the body loses its ability to regulate its internal temperature, and common symptoms include "extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees Farenheit), rapid and strong pulse, throbbing headache, and nausea," according to the health department. Emergency medical help should be sought immediately when these symptoms occur.

Heat exhaustion is a more mild illness that develops over several days of heat exposure. It involves the body's ability to internally replace fluids.

In expreme heat, the health department recommends drinking cool beverages (non-alcoholic, guys), resting, taking a cool shower or bath and staying in an air-conditioned space whenever possible.

For more information about heat-related illness and heat safety, contact the Central Racine County Health Department (which serves Mount Pleasant, Sturtevant, Caledonia and North Bay) at 262-898-4460 or check out the National Weather Service's guide to heat safety.

Getting out of the heat

If you're looking to take that advice, here are some places you can go to avoid the summer heat:

Racine Art Museum: The Racine Art Museum at 441 Main St., Racine, can be a great place to get out of the heat and see some artwork as well. Admission is free for RAM members and $5 for adults (children under 12 get in free). RAM is closed Mondays, open 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.

Racine Heritage Museum: If you're looking for something more educational (and with free admission for all), check out the Racine Heritage Museum, 701 Main St., Racine. Check here for complete hours.

Racine Public Library: For a more quiet, air-conditioned reading environment, you can spend some time at the Racine Public Library. If you don't feel like going too far from home, the library also offers a mobile library service.

Cooling off outside

And for those of you who can't get enough of the great outdoors, even in scorching temperatures, here are some area locations where you can cool down with a swim:

- North Beach, 1501 Michigan Blvd.

- Samuel Meyers Beach, 6 11th St.

- Quarry Lake Park, 3501 Northwestern Ave.

- Reefpoint Marina Outdoor Pool, 2 Christopher Columbus Causeway

- Orrin Sterns Park, 3499 Orion Circle