What's in your drinking water? Find out with a free water test from your local Culligan water expert.

Summer is the perfect time to soak up some fresh air, but too much fun in the sun can be dangerous. As temperatures rise, it is especially important to stay hydrated as excessive heat exposure can lead to dehydration.

So, what are the signs of dehydration you should look out for? And how can you stay hydrated in the summer heat?

Let's dive in!

Dehydration occurs when your body loses more fluid than you take in. Dehydration can be mild, moderate or severe, depending on how much of your body weight is lost through fluids. It can also occur in any age group, especially during hot weather and when exercising vigorously.

Common signs and symptoms of dehydration include:

Mild to moderate dehydration can typically be reversed by drinking more fluids, but severe dehydration requires immediate medical treatment.

The best way to avoid dehydration is to drink plenty of fluids. Follow these tips for staying hydrated, especially when temperatures rise.

Don’t wait until you’re thirsty: Chances are, by the time you feel thirsty, you’re already slightly dehydrated. Steadily sip water throughout the day to stay hydrated.

Flavor your water: If plain water tastes boring to you, hydrate with refreshing fruit-infused water to increase your daily water intake.

Keep a reusable water bottle handy: Whether you’re at home or out and about, keeping a water bottle with you throughout the day can help you drink more water. Plus, it serves as a visual reminder and is better for the environment.

Set a daily goal and track your intake: By setting a goal and recording your progress, you can stay motivated and make hydration a habit.

Eat foods with high water content: Complement your water intake by eating foods with high water content such as watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries and cucumbers.

Set reminder alarms: During a busy day, it’s easy to forget to drink enough water. Set alarms on your phone or use an app as a reminder to hydrate.

Replace sugary and caffeinated beverages with water: Not only will you increase your water intake, but you’ll also cut back on added sugars.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer for how much water you should drink in a day. Individual water needs depend on various factors including your activity level, overall health and medication, age and outside temperatures. By knowing more about your body's need for fluids, you can better estimate how much water you should drink each day.

For healthy individuals, the average daily fluid intake for men is about 15.5 cups and for women is about 11.5 cups. This includes plain water as well as other fluid sources such as coffee, tea, juice, fruits and vegetables. To best determine your individual water needs, contact your healthcare provider.

Stay hydrated all summer long with the help of Culligan’s reverse osmosis (RO) systems. Whether you want an endless supply of RO water or your priority is for a compact design that fits seamlessly into your home, we can help find the best system for you.

Below are a couple of the most popular Culligan reverse osmosis drinking water systems.

The world’s most efficient reverse osmosis system,** the Aquasential® Smart RO allows access to an unlimited supply of great-tasting water right from the tap.

The smart features let you track your water consumption and monitor your system anytime, from anywhere. It’s highly customizable to address the unique content of your home’s water, making it one of the best home water filtration systems available.

These are some of the benefits you’ll enjoy with this drinking water system:

Just because you don’t have a lot of space doesn’t mean you can’t have great water.

All you need is the Aquasential® Tankless RO. Its sleek, space-saving design is the perfect solution.

While most RO systems use a tank, our Tankless RO uses a booster pump, plus a 600 GDP (gallons per day) membrane. This provides a nearly unlimited supply of filtered, great-tasting water. That takes up ⅔ less space than a traditional RO system.

With four stages of filtration, it’s an advanced drinking water system that works in almost any space. This system is ideal for…

If you want to make hydration a habit this summer, reverse osmosis water can help you accomplish your water intake goals.

For more information about drinking water systems or Culligan water products, contact your local Culligan water expert or schedule a free water test today!