Excessive Heat Watch starts Tuesday, July 26

The National Weather Service has upgraded the Heat Advisory to an Excessive Heat Warning this week for lowland portions of King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. The warning will be in effect from noon Tuesday through 4 p.m. Friday.

Dangerously hot conditions, with high temperatures in the mid to upper 90s and overnight lows in the mid to upper 60s, are expected across the region. This will pose a high risk of heat-related illnesses.

To stay safe, be sure to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous activity during the peak of the heat hours in the mid to late afternoon, and make sure not to leave children or pets in vehicles ? even with the window down. Additional safety information can be found?here?along with signs of?heat illness.? To cool off, visit businesses with air conditioning like malls and theaters and public spaces like many of the branches of the?Kitsap Regional Library.

To promote safety in the workplace Labor & Industry has established new rules for heat and air quality effective June 1. L&I?s?Be Heat Smart?web page has complete details of the requirements and additional steps employers and workers can take to prevent heat-related illnesses.

Additionally, Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management will open Cooling Centers this week when temperatures reach the High Risk level on the National Weather Service?HeatRisk Index. Locations and hours of operation will be announced on our website.

Click on the image above for the full two-page flyer with information on how to identify heat-related illness and prevention.