Brutal summer heat can be more than just unpleasant. If you don’t take precautions, extreme temperatures can cause illness and even death.
That’s why ADHS and the National Weather Service are joining forces to mark Arizona Heat Awareness Week from May 10-14. This is a chance to learn how to protect yourself and others from the Arizona heat and sun when spending time outdoors.
High temperatures increase the risk for heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heatstroke. In 2020, Arizona had 2,414 heat-related illness emergency department visits and 520 heat-related deaths. Arizona has averaged nearly 250 heat-related deaths annually in the past three years. This is regrettable, since heat-related illness is preventable.
To protect yourself and your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers, please follow this link to learn about things you can do to prevent, recognize, and treat a heat-related illness, including drinking more water than usual and staying informed of upcoming heat warnings so that you can plan activities accordingly.
If possible, avoid the worst heat by staying cool in an air-conditioned space. It is important to know about resources like the state’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which helps individuals with limited incomes pay their energy bills. If you are in the Phoenix metropolitan area and unable to cool off at home, please visit one of the area’s cooling centers while following physical distancing and hand hygiene guidelines.
An Arizona Heat Awareness Week Website in English and Spanish helps partners share information during this campaign.
We encourage you to post and share content on social media using the hashtags (#AZHeat and #AZwx) to promote the campaign. Messages will help remind family, friends, and visitors about ways to stay safe in the heat while still enjoying the best of what Arizona has to offer.
