04/22/2026
Stay Safe as the Weather Heats Up (partial email from DDD Family Assistance Administration)
As summer approaches, it is important to stay safe when it comes to hot weather. Arizona is experiencing longer periods of hot weather. As a result, the number of people experiencing heat-related illness and resulting emergency room visits and deaths continues to rise.
The following can help protect you from heat-related illness:
• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
• Relax and avoid physical activity, especially after noon when the heat is highest.
• Use sunscreen rated SPF-30 or higher with both UVA and UVB protection. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you go outside. Reapply sunscreen after one hour outside.
• Seek shade, especially during midday when the sun's rays are strongest. Avoid direct exposure between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. Seek shade under an umbrella or tree.
• Cover exposed skin with clothing. Loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and long pants made from tightly woven fabric offer the best protection.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat to shade the face, head, ears, and neck. UV rays can reach anyone, even on cloudy and hazy days.
• Wear sunglasses that wrap around and block as close to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays as possible. Sunglasses protect both the eyes and tender skin around the eyes from sun exposure.
• Never leave people or animals in a vehicle, not even for a second! Temperatures in a car can reach 130°F to 150°F in the first 5 to 15 minutes, even if the outside temperature is only in the 80’s.
Heat-Related Illness Symptoms
If you experience any of these symptoms, stop any physical activity, drink cool nonalcoholic beverages, and seek shelter in a place with air conditioning.
• Heavy sweating
• Paleness
• Muscle cramps
• Tiredness
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fainting
• Cool and moist skin
• Fast and weak pulse rate
• Fast and shallow breathing
Heat-related illness can turn deadly fast. You may not realize you have symptoms until they are already serious. Seek medical help if symptoms don’t go away or get worse.
