WILMINGTON – The heat dome that is currently punishing millions of people across hundreds of thousands of square miles in the Midwest, South and East Coast is no joke: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that excessive heat has killed more Americans in the past 10 years than have lightning, tornados, flooding, hurricanes and blizzards combined.

The National Weather Service in Wilmington has extended an excessive heat warning to 8 p.m. Thursday evening, July 2, for the entire state of Ohio, as well as areas reaching from Wisconsin to the Mississippi Delta to the East Coast.

Heat indices, which is a combination of air temperature and relative humidity, is expected to easily reach into the triple digit numbers locally – some spots in the Midwest are expecting heat indices in the 115 degree range – which can be lethal, with small children and the elderly being most susceptible to its effects.

The best advice in cases such as these is to use your common sense. Strictly limit your time and activities outdoors. Stay in the air conditioning if you have it, fans can  be a big help if you don’t.  If you must be outside, wear lightweight, light-colored clothing and take frequent breaks out of the sun. Stay hydrated, keeping in mind that alcohol dehydrates the body. Plain water or sports drinks with no caffeine and low sugar content are the preferred choices to hydrate. Learn the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.