08/16/2026
Take a look at a plant sitting outside in this Oklahoma heat. Give it plenty of water and it stays green, strong, and healthy. But let it go without enough water for just a day in extreme heat, and it can wilt, dry up, and look completely lifeless.
Your body is no different.
Every day in this heat, your body loses water through sweat...even when you don't realize how much you're sweating. If you don't replace those fluids, dehydration can quickly take a toll.
It can start with thirst, dry mouth, headache, tiredness, dizziness, weakness, muscle cramps, and dark-colored urine. As dehydration becomes more severe, your body can struggle to cool itself, your heart works harder, and you can become confused, weak, or even lose consciousness.
Don't wait until you feel thirsty to drink.
Keep water with you. Take breaks in the shade or air conditioning. Drink fluids regularly, especially if you're working or playing outside, and remember that children, older adults, and people working in the heat can become dehydrated especially quickly.
From your local volunteer firefighters: Please take the heat seriously. Hydrate, look out for your neighbors, and don't wait until it's an emergency to take care of yourself.
Water isn't just something you drink when you're thirsty—it's something your body needs to keep you alive. 💧