RALEIGH, N.C. -- With the heat index soaring over the 100 degree mark Sunday and Monday, the National Weather Service is encouraging everyone to stay safe, and remember heat can kill.

The weather service encourages people to limit their time outdoors, drink lots of fluids, and seek shade as often as possible if you have to work outside.

The service also encourages people to look in on their neighbors, especially the elderly and make sure they're okay.  A man in Tennessee has died in this current heat wave, after his air conditioning went out.

Another source of concern is cars.  Do not leave kids or pets in cars with the windows rolled up.  If you do this for even a few minutes, you can cause serious harm and even death.
For example, with an outside temperature of 80 degrees, in just ten minutes the temperature in a car will reach 99.  Within an hour, it will heat up to 123 degrees.
The weather service reminds people to "look before you lock," and heat related deaths are preventable.