OSAGE COUNTY — With temperatures expected to remain in the 90s through the weekend, residents are being urged to take precautions to protect themselves and check on neighbors who may be particularly vulnerable to extreme heat.

As of Friday, the forecast called for a high near 100 degrees Wednesday, followed by temperatures in the upper 80s and 90s through Sunday. Forecasts are subject to change.

Residents should drink more water than usual and avoid waiting until they feel thirsty. Those working or spending time outdoors should take frequent breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas, wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing, and schedule strenuous activities for the morning or evening when possible.

Ameren recommends drinking approximately eight ounces of water every 15 to 20 minutes while outdoors.

Children and pets should never be left unattended in a vehicle, even briefly. Vehicle interiors can reach dangerous temperatures quickly, even with the windows cracked.

Residents should also check frequently on relatives and neighbors, particularly older adults, people with chronic medical conditions, those without air conditioning, and people who live alone. The CDC recommends checking on family, friends, neighbors, and pets during extreme heat.

Osage County 911/EMA Director Ron Hoffman said families have been checking on relatives, while emergency medical services and fire personnel have been checking on residents who do not have family available. Comm-Unity Partnership continues to maintain cooling stations in most communities, although Hoffman said there have been no requests to use them during the current heat.

Hoffman said a cooling center was opened in Chamois during the Fourth of July power outage because the loss of electricity made the heat especially dangerous. The Osage County Library also serves as a cooling station during its hours of operation.

Residents who need help and do not know where to turn may call 911 to be directed to available assistance, Hoffman said. He cautioned that online searches for the county’s nonemergency number sometimes produce numbers for agencies in Oklahoma, Osage Beach, or other locations.

“If you need help or need emergency services or you need to report something, give us a call,” Hoffman said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises using fans indoors only when the temperature is below 90 degrees. At temperatures above 90 degrees, a fan can increase body temperature. People without air conditioning should take cool showers or baths or spend time in an air-conditioned location.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion may include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, or fainting. A person showing those symptoms should be moved to a cooler location, given cool water if alert and able to drink, and cooled with wet cloths or a cool bath.

Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Symptoms can include confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures, and a very high body temperature. Call 911 immediately if heat stroke is suspected, move the person to a cooler location, and begin cooling them while waiting for emergency responders. Do not give fluids to an unconscious or confused person.

Ameren also recommends several measures to keep homes cooler and reduce electricity use, including closing blinds or drapes to block direct sunlight, cleaning or replacing air-conditioner filters, and using outdoor grills or small appliances instead of ovens. Ceiling or floor fans can be used with air conditioning, allowing thermostats to be set three to four degrees higher while maintaining comfort.

Customers struggling with summer utility bills may qualify for Ameren payment agreements, due-date extensions, or assistance through programs such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Additional information is available at Ameren.com/SeasonalEnergyRelief.

Forecasts and heat alerts are available through the National Weather Service. Heat-safety information is available from the CDC.