MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The July and August months continue their unpleasant combination of hot and humid. While we all enjoy lounging at the pool until the heat subsides, many people continue work and life outside.

As the 90+ degree temperatures approach, it's always important to remember and avoid health problems associated with heat. Heat stroke, heat exhaustion and heat cramps can happen to anyone who spends too long exerting themselves outdoors without relief.

The National Weather Service releases annual tips on how to avoid these common and deadly heat-related illnesses. Heavy sweating, clammy skin, and nausea can be symptoms of heat exhaustion. In these cases, moving those afflicted to a cooler area is a priority.

Meridian Township also has "cooling centers," the primary one being Meridian Mall. These are typically public places with air conditioning and assist those not only with making purchases of that sun screen and beach toys, but also help them to get out of the sun.

"Both people pedestrians and workers use the cooling centers across the Township," said Bill Conlkin, Managing Director for the Ingham County Road Department. "If our workers have to deal with hot days, that's where they go."

On hot days its especially vital to never leave kids or pets in hot cars on the sweltering days, even for a minute. HOMTV's Kendall Maxwell's demonstrated how dangerous this can be with Tavis Millerov, Meridian Township's Fire Inspector.

"Temperatures can exceed the triple digits very easily and very quickly," said Millerov.

And while this can be a horrible condition for a person, Millerov showed in the video below it can be useful for baking. Temperature on a hot day in a car can exceed temperatures of 140 degrees.

As always, be prepared for a hot day and know when someone is in trouble. Staying out of the sun is preferred, but knowing how to manage it when you have to is critical.