WISCONSIN — The long wait for a traditional run of summer-like heat and humidity in Wisconsin is now upon us, with temperatures climbing into the weekend.

But as those temps go up, so too will trips to the emergency room because of them.

"When we start to get worried, especially in the emergency department, is when you make that turn and go into heat stroke," said Dr. Chris Ford, an emergency medicine physician with Ascension Wisconsin. "That's when the body heats up at a rapid rate."

Ford there are a number of simple steps people can take before getting out into the heat to make sure they're not overcome by it, and the main one is simple: Drink water. 

"Above all else, we want to make sure that you're hydrating," Ford said. "We commonly tell people coming into the emergency department to wear loose-fitting clothes, make sure you're staying out of the heat in the peak hours, so 10:00 a.m. 'til about 4:00 p.m. or so, and doing just a little of that avoidance goes a long way to keeping you out of the emergency department."

Watch the full interview above.