GuidesHealth and wellbeing7 min read

Arizona extreme heat preparedness

In Phoenix and Tucson, heat is the disaster that arrives every summer, and the failure that hurts households most is an air conditioner going out during a stretch above 110 degrees.

Have a plan for the day the cooling fails

Indoor temperatures can become dangerous within hours, so decide in advance where you go.

Name two air-conditioned places you can reach: a relative, a library, or a mall
Save your county's cooling and hydration station list before June
Keep the HVAC company's number and your unit's model number together
Set aside funds for an emergency repair or a hotel night

Prepare the home before summer

Small changes cut indoor temperature and reduce load on the system.

Service the air conditioner in spring and change filters monthly in summer
Add blackout curtains or reflective film on west and south windows
Seal door and window gaps and check attic insulation
Keep box fans and a battery power bank for monsoon outages

Protect the people most at risk

Older adults, infants, pregnant people, outdoor workers, and anyone on certain medications lose heat tolerance first.

Set daily check-in calls for relatives living alone
Learn heat exhaustion and heat stroke signs and when to call 911
Ask the pharmacist which prescriptions affect heat tolerance or hydration
Move errands and outdoor work to before 9 a.m.

Water, cars, and pets

Most heat emergencies involve dehydration or a short exposure that turned serious.

Keep water in the car and never leave anyone, including pets, inside it
Store extra water at home in case a monsoon storm knocks out power
Walk dogs early and test the pavement with your hand for seven seconds
Keep electrolyte packets for anyone working or playing outside

Common questions

What do I do if my air conditioning fails during an Arizona heat wave?

Leave for an air-conditioned place rather than waiting it out. Call your HVAC provider, check for utility or county emergency repair assistance, and use a cooling center if you have nowhere else to go.

How much water should an Arizona household store for summer?

Keep at least one gallon per person per day for several days, and more if anyone works outdoors. Monsoon storms can cause outages that disrupt cooling and water pumping.

When is heat most dangerous in Arizona?

Late June through August brings the highest temperatures, with monsoon humidity from July onward making the heat harder to shed. Risk rises during multi-day stretches when nights stay warm.

See where your household stands

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