Swift Current is set to hit the 30-degree mark for the first time this summer, and with the mercury rising, the Saskatchewan Health Authority is reminding the public to take caution during the heat. 

According to Environment Canada, a heat warning is issued when there are two or more consecutive days of daytime temperatures expected to reach 29 degrees or warmer. Both today and tomorrow are supposed to hit 29 degrees or warmer in the Swift Current area. 

Heat-related illnesses include heat rash (skin irritation), heat cramps (muscle cramps), heat edema (swelling of hands, feet, and ankles), heat fainting, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. 

Dr. Simon Kapaj is a medical health officer with the Saskatchewan Health Authority and said that children and seniors are the most at risk. 

"It causes serious health concerns especially for children, individuals that have chronic medical conditions," he said. "Seniors as well. It can cause shortness of breath, loss of conciseness." 

Kapaj talked about some of the main signs of heatstroke. 

"If the individual is having a loss of consciousness, dry skin, red skin, and they are not sweating anymore, then I would say that is not a good sign," he said. "You need to call the emergency care to provide the help that is needed." 

He said that there are a few things that people can do to prevent heatstroke from happening. 

"Making sure that the temperature of the environment that you are staying at is optimal — making sure that you drink lots of fluids, especially cold water. If they have available air condition, turn it on. If not getting access to some public place like a library, for example, a swimming pool in the city. It might be beneficial to go to the spray park as well," he said. "For someone who works out there (in the heat) it will be important that they take a few breaks during the day and drink lots of fluids. It's important to drink fluids prior to dehydration because if you are dehydrated than that requires more assistance and more help." 

Other prevention tips include keeping out of the sun during the peak hours of 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. if possible. If you are outside to wear appropriate sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and light, loose-fitting cotton clothes, keep in the shade whenever possible. Take cool baths or showers, keep your living space cool, keep windows that are exposed to the sun closed during the day, and open windows at night when the temperature has dropped. 

Kapaj said that they usually see emergency rooms fill up with those suffering heat-related illnesses. 

"When we have these heatwaves going along in different areas of the province, and across the country, we see more people that are in the hospital, more people that show up in emergency rooms," Kapaj noted. "It's important than an individual who has pets show the same care as people." 

Kapaj added that when the temperature hits around 29 to 30 degrees or above, that is the time to be most cautious.