With scorching temperatures forecast for this weekend for the Phoenix Metropolitan and Yuma areas, county and state health officials are urging residents to take precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses or death.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued Excessive Heat Watches for Phoenix and Yuma Sunday and Monday, and may upgrade these to Excessive Heat Warnings later this weekend. Temperatures are expected to soar to 111 in Phoenix and 115 in Yuma on Sunday.

“When you’re grilling Dad’s favorite burger this Sunday, make sure you have a big glass of water sitting next to you,” said Dr. Bob England, director of Maricopa County’s Department of Public Health. “Our bodies are equipped to handle the heat, but we need to stay hydrated and take frequent breaks to bring our body temperatures back down.”

“Keeping kids cool in the pool is a great way to combat the heat," said Susan Gerard, Director of the Arizona Department of Health Services. “However, please make sure that someone is  keeping a close eye on the little ones. We have seen far too many stories of children drowning because no one was watching."

The National Weather Service is partnering with state and local health officials to provide Arizonans with the most current forecasts and information focused on summer days that is sure to again be a scorcher. The most current weather, forecast and warning information is available at the NWS website: weather.gov/phoenix.

“What many people don’t realize is that during June we experience our classic ‘dry heat,’—it is hot during the day with cooler temperatures at night. In fact, we usually see our highest temperatures of the summer in June,” said Tony Haffer, Meteorologist in Charge of the National Weather Service in Phoenix . “Once July and August roll around, we see the dew point and humidity increase and heat-related deaths increase markedly. Much of this can be attributed to the fact that nighttime temperatures during July and August do not cool as much as in June, which doesn’t allow our bodies to get much relief at night.”

People suffer heat-related illness when the body’s temperature control system is overloaded and the body can no longer cool itself. As long as blood is flowing properly to the skin, extra heat from the body is pumped to the skin and removed by sweat evaporation. If fluids are not replaced soon enough, heat stroke can result, potentially leading to brain damage or death.

Symptoms of heat illness include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, nausea, weak but rapid pulse and headaches. People with these symptoms should find shade, drink water slowly and make sure there is good ventilation.
Staying in an air-conditioned area, either at home or in a public place such as a mall, library or recreation center is the most effective way to fight heat. If air conditioning is not available, pull the shades over the windows and use cross-ventilation and fans to cool rooms. A cool shower or bath also is an effective way to cool off. Limit use of stoves and ovens to keep home temperatures lower.
For more information about heat in Arizona or to view a map or respite and cooling stations in Maricopa County, visit www.heataz.org. For more information on weather-related heat information, please visit http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/psr/general/safety/heat/.
Heat Tips:

• Keep an eye on those at risk – Check on elderly neighbors, homeless, or mentally ill who may need your help when the weather is dangerously warm.
• Cars and heat don’t mix – NEVER leave children, pets or people needing special care in parked cars when the temperature is high.
• Remember your pets – Pets also need water, shade, and a cool place to rest.
• Drink plenty of water – Your body needs water to keep cool. Avoid beverages containing alcohol or caffeine. 
• Cover your head – When you have to be outside in the sun, make sure you and your small children have your heads protected.
• Keep fresh air circulating – If you are not in a building with air conditioning, keep some windows or doors open slightly so fresh air can come in.
• Baths and showers are good – Cool down with frequent cool baths or showers, but do not take a shower immediately after becoming overheated.  You may cool down too quickly and become ill or dizzy.
• When working outside – If you must work outside – take precautions - wear proper clothing, take frequent breaks, try and work during the very early morning hours, cover your head, drink plenty of water and slap on sunscreen that is SPF 15 or higher.
• Stay cool indoors – Stay inside and, if at all possible, in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library - even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.