Alberta Health Services has issued a Heat Advisory for Calgary and area because of the extreme temperatures expected over the next couple of days.

Dr. Nicholas Etches says there are a number of issues people could develop because of the heat.

"Heat exhaustion or heat stroke, feeling faint, heat cramps, you can also get swelling of the hands, feet and ankles and some people can develop a rash when they're exposed to high temperatures, so those are all medical issues that are associated with heat advisories," Dr. Etches says.

Alberta Health Services has provided a list of things people can do to protect themselves and others around them including:

· Consider rescheduling outdoor activities to cooler hours of the day.

· Take frequent breaks from heat, spending time indoors at cooled public buildings (including malls or indoor pools).

· Drink plenty of water and other non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages to stay hydrated.

· Do not leave any person or pet inside a closed vehicle.  

· Apply a sunscreen of at least sun protection factor (SPF) 30, at least 20 minutes before heading outdoors.  Be sure the SPF 30 screens out both UVA and UVB rays, and reapply frequently (as directed on product label).

· Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses (with a UVA/UVB CSA certified seal).

· Wear light-coloured long-sleeved shirts and pants that cover skin.

Dr. Etches says some people can feel the effects of the heat more than others such as young children, the elderly, people with chronic medical conditions or people who may be more exposed through their jobs like road crews or people working on construction sites.

"Take frequent breaks and during those breaks try to spend some time indoors in an air conditioned cooler area," he says.

Environment Canada is calling for rain and temperatures in the mid-to-high teens by the weekend.