Hot temperatures force residents to cancel outdoor plans

LEE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK)— Residents are changing their weekend plans as hot temperatures force many indoors.

Micah, a student running errands, said he felt drained in the heat. He was planning to go to the beach this weekend or visit the park with younger cousins, but now he's staying inside with the air conditioning.

Many people dashed from their cars into stores with air conditioning on full blast or headed home to a pool. This weekend, people should plan ahead and not dismiss the hot temperatures.

Lee Health said five people have been treated for heat-related illness so far this year. The hospital system also said mid-May is the time they start to see those numbers increase.

Young kids, older adults, or anyone on medications and sensitive to heat should stay hydrated and take breaks in the shade. Ignoring fatigue can be dangerous, so people should get into the shade or to the air conditioning before symptoms get worse.

"We're trying to run around and just feel drained," Micah said. "We actually had to stop into Guitar Center for like 20 minutes just for their AC. That's why we went. I don't like it. I might have to move out of Florida again."

The Florida Policy Institute said every one in four Floridians is sensitive to heat. If your body starts to cramp or you get body aches, that's an early sign of a heat-related illness, so get out of the sun and hydrate.