Longer days and rising temperatures signal summertime. The American Heart Association has some tips to help you stay active, safe and heart healthy when it’s hot outside.

Beat the heat

You can stay active and beat the heat by:

• Going to a gym for a nice, cool environment with a variety of activities.
• Visiting your favorite local swimming hole or taking swimming lessons at a pool.
• Starting a walking group with your friends at the mall.
  • The American Heart Association’s walking program, Start!, has a new tool on Facebook that makes it easy for you to plan walks with friends, stay connected, focused and motivated.
• Taking up an indoor sport, such as racquetball, basketball or volleyball, or taking an aerobics class.
• Going ice skating.

If you exercise outside when it’s hot and humid, wear light, comfortable clothing and work out in the early morning or late evening. Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If you experience symptoms, stop exercising and cool down immediately by dousing yourself with cold water. You may need medical attention. Heat exhaustion can progress quickly to heat stroke, which can kill you.

Learn more about hot weather and cardiovascular disease and the symptoms of heat exhaustion and stroke.

Headed to the pool, lake or ocean this summer? Make sure you’re prepared. Drowning is a leading cause of death in infants, children and adolescents. Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) so you can act quickly to prevent drowning.

Learn more about water safety and find out how you can learn the core skills of CPR.

Fire up the grill

Dusting off the old grill? Keep these tips in mind to help you grill “fat-sensibly” this summer.

• Go for grilled fish. The healthiest types include salmon, trout and herring, which are high in heart- healthy omega-3 fatty acids. 
• Buy chicken breasts instead of the fattier dark meat (legs and thighs). Remember to remove the skin before eating or try grilling chicken or turkey burgers using breast meat and add diced onions for  more flavor.
• Choose “loin” and “round” cuts of red meat and pork. Look for “choice” or “select” grades of beef instead of “prime.” While these have the least amount of fat, don’t forget to trim the fat when you get home. 
• Use a rack so the fat drips away from the food.

Boost your recipe collection with fat-friendly recipes from the American Heart Association's Face the Fats program.