It may not officially be summer yet, but some record-breaking heat this spring is making it feel as if it is.

June 18th through the 24th is promoted as Summer Weather Safety Week by the National Weather Service, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the Department of Public Safety. The week is set aside to highlight the risks and dangers associated with excessive heat. According to the National Weather Service, cities reaching all-time high average temperatures for the month of May included St. Joseph, Kansas City, Columbia, Springfield, St. Louis and West Plains.

St. Joseph Emergency Management Director Jada McClintick said an important thing to do, especially during the summer, is to stay hydrated.

“That doesn’t mean, coffee, tea, carbonated drinks, caffeine… none of that stuff. Stick with water, that’s probably the number one thing is to stay hydrated,” McClintick said. “Try and stay out of the sun during those hottest part of the days, 2 to 5… just limit your sun exposure and try and at least get in the shade if not into some air conditioning.”

McClintick said to watch out for each other during severe heat periods.

“Your neighbors, your co-workers, people you go to church with, if you know somebody who doesn’t have air conditioning or you see they are sitting on their porch (during) the hottest part of the day, invite them to come over, get in the air conditioning,” McClintick said. “The very young and the older community members, those are the highest risk, so just watch out for each other, take care of one another.”

According to Department of Public Safety Director Drew Juden, reminds everyone to never leave a child or a pet alone in a car in the summer heat because the temperature can rise by 20 degrees in 10 minutes and 30 degrees in 20 minutes.

Find the nearest public cooling centers by visiting mo.gov.