More than 100 million Americans are being warned to stay indoors as the heat index reaches 100 degrees Fahrenheit. When accompanied by high humidity, it could make the conditions feel closer to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Heat exhaustion is often overlooked but it’s a serious condition that claims lives every year. Because of the extreme temperatures in the triple digits, we've provided expert tips on how to keep you and your family cool and safe this summer if the power, especially if the power goes out.

1. Keep Your Body Cool

The most recommended tip to keep cool without an air conditioner is to wet your shirts, towels, and blankets. Wrap a cool moist towel around your neck to help chill your whole body and limit your movement.

If you’re feeling especially overheated, fill your tub with cold water and take a dip.

2. Windows

Open your windows in the middle of the night to let the cooler air in. During the day, keep your windows sealed shut and close all blinds and curtains to keep the sun’s heat out of your home.

3. Fans

If you have power, plug in a box fan near where you will be sitting. A pro tip is to fill up a bucket with ice or dry ice and place it behind the fan so that even cooler air will blow out, some call this a ‘swamp cooler’.

If you find yourself without power, use a handheld fan. Either a paper fan like you would see in old photos of southern women at church or a battery operated fan will help in keeping your body temperature down and improve your general comfort level.

4. Stay Hydrated

The most important thing is to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid sugary drinks and alcohol that cause you to lose more body fluid. You may be tempted to load every glass with ice, but exceptionally cold drinks can cause stomach cramps in extreme heat. Try drinking a cool beverage to stay comfortable but not risk any negative side effects.

5. Power of Paint

If you have a covered patio or some kind of exterior wall that is in direct sunlight and are able to paint, paint it white. The white will reflect the sunlight instead of absorbing the heat and make the surface temperature significantly cooler and cause less heat absorption within the structure.

Similar to the winter storms we saw last year in Texas, we ultimately take things like our utilities and services for granted as a defense against nature. That reliability is being undermined by increasingly devastating natural events. It’s important to be prepared for the loss of utilities and services, especially when you need them most.

Worried about power outages? We’ve got a checklist ‘ What to do when the power goes out’ and consider having things like a solar charger available to keep your critical communication live or a full power generator.