The heat wave we're experience is bringing smiles to Cochranites. But like everything else, except ice cream, too much of a good thing can be bad.

Cochrane is forecasted to continue to receive highs of 30 degrees up until Sunday and the best solution to avoid heat exhaustion, or worse heat stroke, is to be prepared.

Children, in particular, should be monitored closely because their bodies simply aren't equipped to handle the heat as well as adults, explains Stuart Brideaux, public education officer for Alberta Health Services.

"The impact is extremely compounded in young children who don't pace themselves in heat often and the physiology of their bodies just can't coop with heat and sun the way a regular healthy adult can."

Leaving a child unattended in a vehicle on a hot day is strictly a no-no. Within a half hour that interior temperature can rise rapidly to 40 degrees and climb to 50 degrees within 45 minutes, says Brideaux.

"In these situtions, their bodies can't cope with the heat and heat exhaustion can occur rapidly."

Even when travelling on a hot day with children, parents should be pro-active..

"If you're feeling the heat a little bit the odds are they are feeling it much more than you. Keep the air conditioning going and keep vehicle cool, use sun shades when appropriate, provide lots of fluids and juice event before they ask for it or ideally provide them before they are thirsty. Carrying snack also helps them cope with the heat."

Ever notice you're children can be especially cranky when travelling on a hot day? That's a sign that should be noted. Once they are out of the vehicle and cool off a bit it tends to pass, he notes.

Heat exhaution is far more common than heat strokes and being prepared with hats, lots of fluids and sunscreen goes a long way.

Common symptoms are headaches, fatigue, nausea and vomiting and a general feeling of unwellness.You may even fill a bit chilled at times.

"Your body is working to cool itself. You're still able to sweat but the longer the stay out in the heat without working to cooling yourself, the more it's going to progress," says Brideaux.. "This is compounded, for sure, if you're doing any strenuous physical activity or not rehydrating."

The best solution is simply get out of the direct sunlight into the shade, a building or air-conditioned environment or cool down with the help of a fan. Drink fluids but don't guzzle; take small regular sips. 

Most people avoid an actual heat stroke because they recognize the symptoms, but if it does occur it will require medical emergency attention and normally is followed by treatment at a hospital. At this point the body's temperature has exceeed 40 degrees.

"The issue is the body is no longer able to to cool itself and is generally completely overcome. The temperature will actually keep rising critically untill there's no more sweat left at all and these people may appear flushed and dry in an environment where other people are sweating."

Besides leaving children unattended in a vehicle, those under the influence of alcohol or drugs are among those most susceptible to heat stroke.

"Their judgement is already impaired with alcohol and drugs and they do not recognize the jeopardy they are putting themselves in."

While awaiting medical support, get the suspected victim of heat stroke out of the sun and into a cool environment, loosen clothes, cool their bodies.with ice packs and give them small sips of water.

Still, dealing with heat should not be a problem if you're prepared.

"These are three easy steps you can take to at least be more comfortable in the heat and sun .Plan ahead, pace yourself and seek help if you need it, but the odds are if you're organized it shouldn't be a problem."