This week on Health Watch, we’ve been talking about men’s health issues, in honor of Father’s Day. If your Father’s Day plans include getting outside for a game of catch with your dad or your son, you might need to take some precautions if the two of you spend most of your time indoors in air conditioning.

Dr. Paul Pepe, chairman of emergency medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center, says the people who usually get in trouble with heat are the very young or very old, but even healthy young adults may be in danger if they exercise in the heat on weekends after being in air conditioning all week. To play it safe in the heat, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and caffeine, no matter how good a cold beer sounds on a hot day. Not only does alcohol dehydrate your body, but it also impairs your judgment so you may not know you’re in trouble. Use the buddy system and look out for your dad or your son while you’re playing that game of catch.

Visithttp://www.utsouthwestern.org/emergency to learn more about UT Southwestern’s clinical services in emergency medicine.