Coles County will face temperatures of around 98-100 degrees Fahrenheit and a heat index of around 105-112 degrees Fahrenheit Monday and Tuesday following a statewide heat wave.

Steve Bennett, Charleston’s fire chief, said one of the main heat-related calls the department receives is heat exhaustion.

While there are only a handful of calls a year related to heat over-exhaustion, in some extreme cases heat strokes are possible.

Heat exhaustion happens when the body stops sweating or regulating its temperature. Some common signs are:

• Heavy sweating
• Cold, pale and clammy skin
• Fast, weak pulse
• Nausea or vomiting
• Muscle cramps
• Tiredness or weakness
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Fainting 

Bennett encourages people to take breaks when outdoors, drink plenty of water and stay in the air conditioning.

If you do not own an air conditioner, you can go to the library or other businesses that provide air to its patrons.

Southern Illinois averages around 40 days a year where the temperature is or above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, while the North faces around 10 days, according to the Illinois State Climatologists.

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