EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING
As temperatures across the state of Arizona are expected to reach record levels this weekend Yavapai County Emergency Management and Yavapai County Community Health Services would like to remind residents to take the necessary precautions to prevent serious health effects such as heat exhaustion and other heat related injuries or medical complications.
In response to an excessive heat warning issued by the National Weather Service, The Salvation Army's Verde Valley/Cottonwood staff will be activating a heat relief station at the Cottonwood Recreation Center where people in need can go for cooling and hydration June 17th through June 21st, 2017.
Cottonwood Recreation Center
150 S. 6th St.
Cottonwood, AZ -86326
Tel. (928) 639.3200
As needed the Copper Canyon Fire and Medical will have water available at the following fire stations:
Camp Verde Station at 494 S Main St, Camp Verde, AZ 86322
Montezuma Rimrock Station 3240 E Beaver Creek Rd, Rimrock, AZ 86335
URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Flagstaff AZ
241 AM MST Thu Jun 15 2017
Yavapai County Mountains- Including the cities of Prescott, Seligman, and Ash Fork - Thu Jun 15 2017
...HEAT ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM SUNDAY TO 8 PM MST WEDNESDAY...
* AFFECTED AREA...Yavapai County Mountains.
* TEMPERATURE...100 to 107 degrees. Hottest temperatures early
next week.
* IMPACTS...A prolonged period of hot temperatures is expected and will significantly increase the potential for heat related illness. Those without access to adequate air conditioning and hydration will be most at risk.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Heat Advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is expected and will create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible. Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-conditioned room...stay out of the sun...and check up on relatives and neighbors. More weather updates at: http://www.weather.gov/fgz/
Please remember NEVER leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles. It is best to leave your pets at home if you cannot take them in with you. Even in cool temperatures, cars can heat up to dangerous temperatures very quickly. Even with the windows cracked open, interior temperatures can rise almost 20 degrees Fahrenheit above outside temperatures within the first 10 minutes. Anyone left inside is at risk for serious heat-related illnesses or even death. Children who are left unattended in parked cars are at greatest risk for heat stroke, and possibly death.
When traveling with children, remember to do the following:
o Never leave infants, children or pets in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked open. To remind yourself that a child is in the car, keep a stuffed animal in the car seat. When the child is buckled in, place the stuffed animal in the front with the driver.
o When leaving your car, check to be sure everyone is out of the car. Do not overlook any children who have fallen asleep in the car.
Check on family, friends, and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend much of their time alone.
1. Know the signs of heat illness - According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, the path to a life-threatening heat stroke follows a fairly predictable series of steps, with several warning signs along the way.
• Thirsty: Being thirsty signals that you’re already starting to get dehydrated. As soon as you get thirsty, make it a point to drink some water and get out of the heat.
• Heat cramps: Cramping, pain and spams in your abdominal muscles and legs signals that you losing too much water and salt. Drink water and get inside.
• Heat exhaustion: Signs you are entering dangerous territory include “cool, moist, pale, flushed or red skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion.” However, your body temperature will be near normal. With these symptoms, get inside right away and drink half a glass of cool water every 15 minutes until you improve.
• Heat stroke: During heat stroke, your temperature spikes and can damage your brain and internal organs. Other signs include “hot, red and dry skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing.” At this point, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Some ways to avoid heat illness include staying indoors; wearing lightweight clothes in light colors; taking regular breaks; and, naturally, drinking a lot of water.
2. Drink more water than you think
• Planning to hydrate is good. However, if you’re outside, you’re going to need a lot more than 8 cups of water for the day.
• In addition to temperatures in excess of 100 degrees, the summer humidity ranges between a balmy 10 percent and a throat-parching 2 percent. And that’s not hyperbole; you can drink an entire glass of water and your mouth will feel parched within a minute. Even worse, your sweat often evaporates almost as soon as it leaves your body, so you might not realize how much water you’re losing.
• If you’re going outside for any reason, take a bottle of water; for a hike take several bottles of water or a drinking system such as a Camelbak. Many people have died after heading into the wilderness in 110 degree heat with insufficient fluids. That’s why we recommend you stay indoors. If you just have to go outside, you might be tempted to wait until night when it’s cooler.
Additional sites with great preparedness information listed below.
Arizona Department of Health Services http://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/heat-illness
Arizona Emergency Information Network https://ein.az.gov/emergency-information-heat-warning-across-arizona
National Weather Service http://www.weather.gov/rah/heatSalvation
Army in Phoenix http://www.salvationarmyphoenix.org