Heat Warnings are ongoing for Cochise, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, Pima, and Santa Cruz Counties; Coconino County through July 26; and La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Pinal, and Yuma Counties through July 27.
Fans are not your best defense against heat
Fans may provide some relief from the heat, but air conditioning is the most effective way to cool down. If you don’t have air conditioning at home or indoor temperatures reach 90°F (32°C), visit an air-conditioned place like the mall, library, or a community heat relief site to escape the heat and receive free water. Spending even a few hours in air conditioning can lower your risk of heat-related illness. Utility assistance programs can help lower monthly bills.
Know the warning signs
- Limit your outdoor activity to when it’s coolest, like morning and evening hours.
- When you’re feeling overheated, move to a cooler space, loosen tight clothing and apply wet cloths or ice packs to your forehead, neck, and ankles.
- Don’t wait until you feel thirsty to drink water. Drink 1-2 glasses of water when you first wake up and sip throughout the day, especially before going outside. Check your urine color. When it’s light yellow or clear, it usually means you are hydrated.
- Check on your family, friends, pets, and neighbors, especially those who are sensitive to heat, such as individuals over 65, those with chronic medical conditions, people living alone, and those who are unhoused.
