(KFVS) - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is reminding people to take steps to protect themselves as the heat builds

As the first major heat wave of the summer engulfs the continental United States, health experts are urging people to take special precautions when dealing with scorching temperatures and oppressive humidity.

One of the most important things to do is to drink plenty of water throughout the day to avoid dehydration, said Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

Sports drinks that contain electrolytes such as sodium and potassium with small amounts of glucose may help to combat dehydration, Glatter noted, but caffeinated beverages and products with high amounts of sugar can worsen dehydration.

Because children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to dehydration, they should be checked on often and encouraged to drink lots of fluids, he added.

GRAVES COUNTY, KY (KFVS) - The County Health Rankings and Roadmaps have been released.

Graves County ranked 41 out of 120.

Other Western Kentucky counties ranked the following out of 120:

• Calloway - 3
• McCracken - 45
• Fulton - 111
• Hickman - 31
• Carlisle - 80
• Ballard - 82
• Marshall - 34
• Livingston - 77
• Crittenden - 89
• Caldwell - 62
• Lyon - 12

Southeast Missouri county rankings out of 115 includes:

PADUCAH, KY (KFVS) - The Paducah Symphony Orchestra will host a 5K run/walk.

The "Beat Beethoven 5K Run/Walk" will take place on Saturday, March 17th at Noble Park Shelter #10 in Paducahy.

Participants will start the 5K to the famous opening notes of Beethoven's 5th Symphony. The goal is to complete the race course before the music ends. If you do, you "beat Beethoven!"

Athletes of all ages and abilities are invited to participate. Later that night, the symphony will perform at the Carson Center.

Race registration runs from 7:30-8:45 a.m. the morning of the race. The 5K kicks off at 9:00 a.m.