UPDATE: This article has been updated with information on extended hours in Marlborough and Westborough public facilities.
REGION – Lingering high temperatures have prompted a continuing heat advisory across the region.
Local agencies, meanwhile, are sharing warnings and reminders to community members trying to stay safe and cool.
Federally, the National Weather Service shared its advisory in place over much of Massachusetts beginning on Tuesday morning.
The Central Massachusetts Regional Public Health Alliance has also issued an advisory.
The alliance is made up of Shrewsbury, Grafton, Millbury, West Boylston and Worcester.
The alliance’s heat advisory went into effect on Tuesday and will remain in place through July 23.
“Residents are urged to take appropriate precautions to avoid heat-related emergencies,” the alliance said in the press release.
Shrewsbury residents are welcomed to cool off during business hours at the Shrewsbury Senior Center or the Shrewsbury Public Library.
The Westborough Senior Center and Library will have expanded hours through at least Friday.
Area temperatures on Tuesday were expected to peak at 91 degrees, with the “feels like” heat index pushing past that mark.
The National Weather Service is then predicting a high of near 93 degrees on Wednesday and Thursday. Temperatures on Friday may max out around 92 degrees before then reaching around 91 degrees on Saturday.
According to the Central Massachusetts Regional Public Health Alliance, the most common heat-related illnesses are heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash.
To help prevent heat-related illnesses, the alliance is offering a number of tips including to drink plenty of fluids regardless of the activity level to stay hydrated, dress in lightweight and loose-fitting clothes and stay in air-conditioned spaces if possible. They also suggested opening windows to allow fresh air to circulate when appropriate and drinking fruit juice or sports beverage to replace salts and minerals lost during sweating.
The alliance has recommended people wear wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses and sunscreen to protect from the sun and using cool compresses, misting and showers and baths to beat the heat. Limit outdoor activities to mornings or evenings, and never leave people or pets unattended in a parked car, the alliance suggested.
Check on friends, neighbors and relatives, they said.
Warning signs of a heat stroke include an extremely high body temperature; unconsciousness; dizziness, nausea and confusion; red, hot and dry skin; a rapid and strong pulse and a throbbing headache.
The alliance said that if you suspect that yourself or someone else is suffering from a heat stroke to call 911 or go to the hospital and use any means to cool the body, but do not give the person anything to drink.
Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating; weakness; headache; nausea or vomiting; paleness, tiredness and dizziness and muscle cramps.
If you suspect someone is suffering from heat exhaustion, have the person go into a cool location, take sips of a cold beverage and seek medical assistance if the symptoms persist.
For more information, visit https://www.shrewsburyma.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=6721.
