Pima County Cooling Centers & Information
Hot Weather Tips
- Plan ahead (stay indoors during the hottest parts of the day if possible)
- Drink plenty of water
- Dress appropriately (wear loose light-colored clothing)
- Wear a hat (or use an umbrella to block the sun)
- Wear sunscreen (choose a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15)
Heat Dangers
Heat Exhaustion
- Faint or Dizzy
- Excessive sweating
- Cool, pale, clammy skin
- Rapid, weak pulse
- Muscle cramps
Get to a cool, air conditioned place. Drink water, if conscious. Take a cool shower or use cold compress.
Heat Stroke
- Throbbing headache
- No sweating
- Red, hot, dry skin
- Rapid, strong pulse
- May lose consciousness
Call 9-1-1
Heat Related Illness
Heat exhaustion or heat stroke is when we cannot properly cool our bodies. Our bodies normally cool down by sweating, but during extreme heat our body temperature might rise faster than it can cool. This can cause severe illness or death.
Some factors that might increase your risk of developing a heat-related illness include:
- Not drinking enough water
- Obesity
- Sunburn
- Having a fever
- Prescription drug use
- Heart disease
- Mental illness
- Poor circulation
- Alcohol use
Other Resources
- Heat Safety Tips (PDF) (ADHS)
- Visitor Heat Handout (PDF) (Pima.gov)
- It’s Summer in the Desert—Heat Illness Prevention (PDF) (Pima.gov)
- The Heat is On—Staying Safe in Extreme Heat (PDF) (Pima.gov)
- CDC – Food Safety During a Power Outage (PDF) - English
- CDC – Food Safety During a Power Outage (PDF) - Spanish
- Be Cool with these Heat Relief Tips: Spanish (PDF) - (Pima.gov)
- The Sun and Your Medicine (FDA)
- Heat, medications don’t mix (Baylor College of Medicine)