It's hot, hot, hot — but you don't have to let the heat spoil your summer.

I was reminded recently about how my playmates and I spent all day, every day, of our summer breaks playing outside with little thought to the heat.

Those of us who spent most of our childhoods without air conditioning somehow managed to sleep through the muggy summer nights without much noticing how thick the air had become.

And between playing in the pool and the lawn sprinkler and just being outside all summer, I always had a fantastic tan.

Fast-forward a few decades to my first summer in Chicago, a city with two temperatures: freezer and sauna. I lived in a lovely vintage Northside apartment without air conditioning, and all of that childhood adaptability became completely, and permanently, implausible.

Now I can't seem to function — or sleep — in summer without air conditioning, I haven't been swimming yet this season and as a result, it's the last week of June and I still look like I have prison pallor.

I told myself a few months ago, when I was weary of cool temperatures, short days and rain, that I wouldn't complain about the heat this summer. So I won't.

But I think it's fair to say that most of us didn't expect it to get so hot so fast.

We're only at the end of June, and we've got a lot of summer left. So as a reminder, courtesy of the Washington County Health Department, here are some tips for surviving the summer heat:

• When the heat index is high, stay indoors as much as possible.
• Move to the lower floors of your building.
• Schedule outdoor activities for cooler times of the day, before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
• Wear light-weight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• Drink plenty of water before starting any outdoor activity.
• During outdoor activities, take frequent breaks and drink water or other fluids every 15 to 20 minutes, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine.
• Never leave infants, pets, children or the elderly inside a parked car.
• Dress infants and children in cool, loose-fitting clothing and shade their faces with a hat or umbrella.
• Fans will not prevent a heat-related illness. Take a cool shower or bath or move to a room with air conditioning.
• Check on adults you know are at-risk for heat-related illness at least twice a day.
• Constantly monitor children for signs of heat-related illnesses.
• ​Apply sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher at least 30 minutes prior to heading out. Continue to apply as the package directs. The most effective products are those that say “Broad Spectrum” or “UVA/UVB Protection” on their labels.
• Wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat to protect your eyes and face in the sun.
• ​Reduce caffeine intake from beverages including coffee, tea, cola, and other heavily caffeinated beverages. Avoid drinking certain types of beverages: Alcoholic beverages and drinks that are high in sugar; very cold drinks, as they can cause stomach cramps.
• Avoid eating hot foods or heavy meals as they add heat to your body.

And from the Humane Society of Washington County, here's some advice for keeping your pets healthy despite the heat: Be sure they have access to plenty of water, limit their time outdoors and leave them at home. Temperatures rise quickly in a car and can put your pet at risk of heat stroke or even death.

If you are concerned about a pet's wellbeing, you can contact the society's Field Services team at 240-707-3082.

If clothes make the man (or the woman), what are we to make of the way we dress now?

It's hot for sure, but the heat doesn't have to ruin your summer.