As this heat wave across the country including North Carolina continues, physicians at hospitals and urgent care centers are seeing a hike in heat related injuries and illnesses. The heat has patients coming in with sunburn, heat cramps and heat exhaustion. Heat is the number one weather-related killer in the United States, resulting in hundreds of deaths each year. In fact, on average, excessive heat claims more lives each year than floods, lightning, tornadoes and hurricanes combined. The good news- heat related illnesses and injuries are totally preventable.  The following are tips on how to stay healthy in the heat:  Drink plenty of water and avoid consuming dehydrating caffeinated or alcoholic beverages.  Avoid prime heat hours by going outside only early or late in the day.  Seek air conditioning wherever possible.  Dress for the heat by wearing lightweight and light-colored clothing.  Never leave a person or pet in a parked car - even if a window is open a crack, it can heat up in seconds.  And finally, if you start feeling overheated, get out of the heat and sun immediately.  The key is to stay cool and stay hydrated.