Remember to pay attention to body signals, know the danger signs, and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

Hot time: Sitting in a sauna feels great, but make sure you stay safe.

RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS, PA—The case surrounding two deaths at a makeshift sweat lodge outside Sedona, Arizona, got more complicated last Thursday, as the investigation turned from one of accidental deaths to a potential homicide. The two people, a 38-year-old woman and a 40-year-old man, both of whom were relatively healthy, died after spending two hours inside the tent at a sweat-lodge ceremony, while 19 others were hospitalized. Autopsies have been performed, but results related to cause of death haven't been released, pending a toxicology report.

While the investigation is still ongoing, the risks of these sweat lodges bear some scrutiny. And even in the safer environment of a health club or home sauna, safety precautions should be taken seriously.

THE DETAILS: Sweat lodges have been traditionally used by Native Americans for spiritual ceremonies, but in modern times the concept has also been co-opted by New Age spiritualists who use them for cleansing rituals like the one attended by the two people in Arizona. Traditional sweat lodges are made from natural materials that allow airflow, but in this case, the lodge was made from layers of plastic tarpaulin covered in heavy blankets. According to news reports about the incident, between 55 and 65 people were sitting inside a small tent that was 53 inches tall at its highest, and temperatures inside this plastic tent reached 120 degrees F. Many had been fasting for 36 hours leading up to the event, with one meal three hours before the "sweat." Those who were hospitalized suffered from dehydration, burns, and respiratory problems.