Warren County is under an excessive heat watch until 8 p.m. Saturday, July 22.The excessive heat watch, issued by the National Weather Service in St. Louis, means the heat index is dangerously high. Heat index values, or what the temperature feels like, are forecasted at up to 108 degrees. Actual high temperatures could reach triple digits and dewpoints will likely close in on 70 degrees.Ultimately, the combination of hot temperatures and high humidity leads to an increased risk for heat illnesses, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and complications for underlying diseases.People should take precautions, said Chief Ralph Hellebusch of the Warren County Ambulance District.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the best way to stay safe is to stay cool and keep hydrated. Drink more water or sports drinks; limit outdoor work, or do it in the cooler mornings and evenings; and dress in loose, light colored clothing.Another warning is to keep kids and pets out of cars because car interiors can reach deadly temperatures more quickly than most people would expect.Hellebusch said the very young and very old need to take extra care. So do people with a pre-existing illness.“If you’ve had a heat injury before, you’re more susceptible to another,” Hellebusch said. “If you’ve had one before, definitely stay out of the heat.”People can better tolerate the heat when the hottest days are spread apart, but when it’s hot several consecutive days, as with this heat wave, the body has a harder time bouncing back.“If you don’t have air conditioning at home, your body doesn’t have a chance to recuperate or cool down,” Hellebusch said.The Warren County Senior Center at 501 Ashland Ave. in Warrenton is a community cooling center for all ages. Executive Director Lindsey Polston said it is open to the public during regular business hours, weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Polston said ice water is available for cooling center guests. The Warren County Senior Center was created to serve the county’s senior citizens with meals and helpful services. Its Meals on Wheels program delivers meals to homebound senior citizens.Polston said meal delivery volunteers have already reported that some clients have their air conditioners on low, turned off or not working at all. When it happens, senior center representative assist, but the center does not serve every senior citizen in the county.“If you have elderly neighbors, check in with them when it gets this hot,” Polston said. “Make sure they have the air on and it’s working OK.”When heat is making someone sick, symptoms develop, like cramps, dizziness, tiredness or weakness, heavy sweating, or a fast and weak pulse, for example. Hellebusch said people who are overcome by the heat need to go somewhere to hydrate and cool off.“If someone suddenly quits sweating, turns red, they’re going into heat stroke, and that can be fatal,” Hellebusch said. “What’s happening is their body is shutting down.”The CDC says heat stroke symptoms could also include nausea, confusion, fainting and a temperature of 103 degree or higher. Hellebusch said heat stroke is an emergency and to call 911 immediately.Weather Advisory