Record-breaking heat is our new reality. In Arizona, we can reach triple-digit temperatures from May to September. With our hottest days just around the corner, AZ Blue wants to help keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy.

That&rsquo;s why we showed up in a big way on April 9 for a kit-building day at our offices in Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff! Our employees volunteered to make 10,000 heat relief kits (including lip balm, sunblock, powdered electrolytes, cooling towels, and more) and 5,000 first aid kits.

&ldquo;Each year, we&rsquo;re seeing too many heat-related deaths in Arizona,&rdquo; one AZ Blue volunteer said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s so important to give back to our community in this way and potentially help save lives.&rdquo;

Thanks to our partnership with <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://vsuw.org/get-involved/" target="_blank">Valley of the Sun United Way</a>, the kits will go to those who need them most in Maricopa, Mohave, Pima, and Yuma counties.

Check out <a href="https://www.azblue.com/about-us/az-blue-in-action" target="_self">AZ Blue in Action</a> &ndash; assembling kits, smiling, and giving back!&nbsp;<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fbcbsaz%2Fposts%2Fpfbid034B1mkRcohZRiwtqctoTXSccA8yjFcXcYgLdggAoqjcXZnPZyRAJ76kRtJYGbB9uFl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="500" style="border:none;overflow:hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe>
The Phoenix Fire Department also joined in to volunteer and share heat safety education.

<h5>Heat safety</h5>

Extreme heat can make you sick &ndash; or worse. In 2024, Maricopa County reported 602 heat-related deaths, and more than 5,900 Arizonans went to the <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/extreme-weather/heat-safety/index.php#heat-dashboard" target="_blank">emergency room</a> for heat-related illness.

Preventing heat-related illness
<ul>
 <li>
 Drink water before, during, and after physical activity &ndash; aim for 10 gulps of water every 15-20 minutes.</li>
 <li>
 Wear loose, lightweight clothes and a hat, and apply sunscreen before going outside. Reapply sunscreen every two hours.</li>
 <li>
 Heat can impact your medications, making them less effective or changing how they work in your body. Store your meds as directed (do not leave medicine in hot cars or mailboxes) and check with your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.</li>
</ul>

Spot the signs
Watch for these common signs and symptoms of heat illness and know when to get help.&nbsp;According to the <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.azdhs.gov/documents/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/extreme-weather/heat/heat-illness-tip-sheet.pdf?v=20220610" target="_blank">Arizona Department of Health Services</a>:
<ol>
 <li>Heat cramp signs: Muscle pains or spasms in your arms, legs, or abs, and heavy sweating.
 </li>
</ol>
<ul>
 <li>Usually, heat cramps don&rsquo;t require medical help. Gently massage or put pressure on cramping muscles and take sips of water. If you feel nauseous, stop drinking water.</li>
</ul>
2. Heat exhaustion signs: Heavy sweating, weakness, nausea, vomiting, headache, and dizziness.

<ul>
 <li>If the vomiting doesn&rsquo;t let up, it&rsquo;s time to get medical help.
 </li>
</ul>
3. Heat stroke signs: High body temperature (above 103 degrees), red, hot, dry skin (but no sweating), throbbing headache, confusion, nausea, and a rapid pulse.

<ul>
 <li>Call 9-1-1 or get to a hospital.</li>
</ul>

Explore <a href="https://www.azblue.com/inspire-health/blog/heat-relief-efforts-and-supplies-save-lives" target="_self">heat safety tips</a> and learn more about AZ Blue&rsquo;s relief efforts: <a href="https://www.azblue.com/about-us/az-blue-in-action/take-action-with-us" target="_self">azblue.com/azblueinaction</a>.

Packing Thousands of Relief Kits to Prepare for Extreme Heat

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