This weekend will be hot. An excessive heat warning has been issued for the Lansing and Jackson areas, and the triple-digit heat index can be dangerous.
It's important to keep an eye on the most vulnerable which includes the elderly and pets, too. Doctors say it's best for seniors to stay indoors.
"For whatever reason when we age and you're getting hot, sometimes your body doesn't really know that the temperature is rising," said Kimberly Ploehn.
The risk for heat stroke rises as we get older.
"They have more difficulty regulating their pulse and blood pressure, and their appetite isn't as good or ability to urinate isn't as good, so its harder for the body to regulate itself."
Doctors say seniors are less likely to speak up about their symptoms because they don't want to be seen as a bother. It's also harder to tell when a senior is in trouble.
"The signs for elderly can be a lot more subtle than they are for younger people. Maybe they're just more quiet than normal or they lose their appetite, or they might not be aware of it. So definitely look for those signs."
If you're feeling hot and uncomfortable, then your pet is definitely going to be feeling the same.
"If they're in a very hot and humid area they can't cool off as well so they need to be in the shade," said Dr. William Schultz, a veterinarian. "They need to have water available. They need to have cold water available. If they're in the house and there's no air conditioning, a fan works great."
There are signs to tell when your dog is overheating.
"Uncontrolled panting. Some of them will stagger, so the symptoms in humans are almost the same. Dogs rarely faint, but they'll stagger like they're drinking or they're on drugs."
If that happens you have to cool your dog down immediately.
CATA and other agencies offer free rides to cooling centers in some cases. You can call 2-1-1 to arrange one.
