Keep the water bottle close and the sunscreen on. Two big items to keep in mind as we enter a heat wave in southern Saskatchewan.

Forecasters are calling for a high of 27 degrees Thursday but with the humidity, it'll feel closer to 30. On Friday, it could feel more like 41 degrees when the Humidex is factored in.

Then there's the UV index to consider. Environment Canada has that set at 9 for Thursday and is forecasting 10 for Friday, which is considered very high. That means sunburns are a real possibility and precautions need to be taken

SaskHealth has a long list of recommendations for when a heat wave takes hold. Heat-related illness can be a serious concern, especially for the very young and the elderly. They suggest becoming familiar with the different conditions that can occur, such as:

-Heat rash (prickly heat), which occurs when the sweat ducts to the skin become blocked or swell, causing discomfort and itching.
-Heat cramps, which occur in muscles after exercise because sweating causes the body to lose water, salt, and minerals (electrolytes).
-Heat edema (swelling) in the legs and hands, which can occur when you sit or stand for a long time in a hot environment.
-Heat tetany (hyperventilation and heat stress), which is usually caused by short periods of stress in a hot environment.
-Heat syncope (fainting), which occurs from low blood pressure when heat causes the blood vessels to expand (dilate) and body fluids move into the legs because of gravity.
-Heat exhaustion (heat prostration), which generally develops when a person is working or exercising in hot weather and does not drink enough liquids to replace those lost liquids.
-Heatstroke (sunstroke), which occurs when the body fails to regulate its own temperature and body temperature continues to rise, often to 40.6°C (105°F) or higher. Heatstroke is a medical emergency. Even with immediate treatment, it can be life-threatening or cause serious long-term problems.