Older adults are at higher risk of health problems if they don't take the proper precautions to protect themselves from the sweltering heat. About 200 Americans die of health problems caused by high heat and humidity every year; most of them are 50 or older. Because of some of the physical changes that happen as we age, older adults can't cool down as easily as younger ones.

The American Geriatrics Society Foundation for Health in Aging suggests seniors take these steps to stay safe in summer:

Do:

- Use air conditioning in the home, or go where it's air-conditioned -- a shopping mall, grocery store, senior center, movie theater, museum, or library, for example. (Fans are not effective enough to adequately cool the body during intense heat waves.)

- Drink a lot of water and other clear beverages that don't contain alcohol or caffeine. A good way to measure if enough fluids are being ingested is to check urine color. If urine is a light yellow, enough water is being taken into the body. If it's darker yellow, the body needs more water.

- Take cool showers, baths, or sponge baths.

- Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and hats.

Avoid:

- Extended periods of sun exposure.

- Walking long distances, lifting heavy objects, or other strenuous activities.

Most common health problems caused by heat:

- Dehydration: Weakness, headache, muscle cramps, dizziness, confusion and passing out.

What to do: Call your doctor or 911. Meanwhile, drink plenty of water and, if possible, "sports drinks" such as Gatorade, which contain important salts called "electrolytes" that your body loses when you're dehydrated.

- Heat stroke: A body temperature of 103 or higher; red, hot and dry skin; a fast pulse; headache, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, confusion, and passing out.

What to do: Call 911 immediately. Move to a cool, shady place, take off or loosen heavy clothes, drink water or drinks such as Gatorade. If possible, douse yourself with cool water, or use cold, wet compresses to help lower your body temperature.

- Heat exhaustion: Heavy sweating or no sweating, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, paleness, cold or clammy skin, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, and fainting.

What to do: Without delay, move to a cool, shady place, and drink plenty of cool fluids, such as water, or drinks such as Gatorade. If you don't feel better fast, call 911.

- Heat syncope: Dizziness or fainting in the heat.

What to do: Lie down and put your feet up, and drink plenty of water and cool fluids such as Gatorade.