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The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for Mercer County and the surrounding area on Wednesday, July 20, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and an Excessive Heat Watch on Thursday, July 21, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The City of Newark and other Essex County officials remind residents that many cooling sites will be open.
Temperatures Wednesday are expected to reach the middle to upper 90s with a heat index (a measure of the combination of heat and humidity) of up to 105 degrees.
For the Excessive Heat Watch on Thursday, dangerously hot conditions with heat index values of 105 to 110 degrees are possible. Children, older adults, people with disabilities and pets are most at risk during excessive temperatures.
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To cope during extreme heat, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, even if you are not thirsty, and spend as much time as possible in an air-conditioned environment. Be sure to check on elderly relatives and neighbors. If using a mask, use one that is made of breathable fabric, such as cotton, instead of polyester.
Don’t wear a mask if you feel yourself overheating or have trouble breathing.
Hot weather can impact everyone, regardless of age or condition, but some people are more at risk than others.
People most at risk include those over age 65, individuals with medical conditions, those taking medications that may affect the way the body reacts to heat, people with disabilities, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, babies and young children, those who are overweight or obese, individuals who work or exercise outdoors, and even those residents who may have recently arrived from cooler climates.
Never leave children, pets or anyone with limited mobility alone in hot vehicles.
Even with the windows rolled down, only minutes in a hot car can be deadly.