TOP TEN TIPS FOR BEATING THE HEAT Limit your exposure to high temperatures and strong sun; do strenuous activities in the cooler periods of morning and evening. Have a place to cool down, whether at home, a local library or shopping mall, or an emergency government cooling center. Your body needs that cool break. Drink plenty of water and natural juices, even if you don't feel thirsty. Alcohol and caffeine won't do the trick; they dehydrate body tissue. Eat small amounts of food and cut back on proteins that can increase metabolic heat. Do NOT take salt tablets unless your physician advises you to do so. The salt in your diet and in processed foods should be adequate. Do NOT leave children or pets in a closed car. Temperatures can soar to killer levels within just a few minutes in a car that is in the sun. Take showers to cool down and use soap to remove skin oils that can block pores and hinder the natural cooling process of sweating. Use awnings, draperies, and blinds to keep direct sunlight from heating up the interior of your home. Storm windows can provide insulation from summer heat as well as winter cold. Check on the elderly and those with health problems to make sure they are okay. Be aware of ozone and air pollution advisories which tend to worsen as temperatures rise. Avoid outdoor activity when ozone levels are high.