With temperatures in the mid-90s and high humidity, the next five days will bring the first real summer heat wave to the Avon Grove community, and, with it, risks to health and safety.

The US Weather Service has issued an "Excessive Heat Warning: ...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM SUNDAY TO 8 PM EDT MONDAY... * HEAT INDEX VALUES...UP TO 105 DUE TO TEMPERATURES IN THE UPPER 90S, AND DEWPOINTS IN THE LOWER 70S. * TIMING...THE HIGHEST HEAT INDEX VALUES WILL OCCUR FROM THE LATE MORNING INTO THE EARLY EVENING. * IMPACTS...THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY MAY CAUSE HEAT STRESS DURING OUTDOOR EXERTION OR EXTENDED EXPOSURE. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS...IF YOU WORK OR SPEND TIME OUTSIDE. WHEN POSSIBLE...RESCHEDULE STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES TO EARLY MORNING OR EVENING. KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE. WEAR LIGHT WEIGHT AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING WHEN POSSIBLE AND DRINK PLENTY OF WATER. TO REDUCE RISK DURING OUTDOOR WORK...THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS SCHEDULING FREQUENT REST BREAKS IN SHADED OR AIR CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENTS. ANYONE OVERCOME BY HEAT SHOULD BE MOVED TO A COOL AND SHADED LOCATION. HEAT STROKE IS AN EMERGENCY...CALL 9 1 1. YOUNG CHILDREN AND PETS SHOULD NEVER BE LEFT UNATTENDED IN VEHICLES UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE DURING WARM OR HOT WEATHER WHEN CAR INTERIORS CAN REACH LETHAL TEMPERATURES IN A MATTER OF MINUTES. AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING MEANS THAT A PROLONGED PERIOD OF DANGEROUSLY HOT TEMPERATURES WILL OCCUR. THE COMBINATION OF HOT TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY WILL COMBINE TO CREATE A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT ILLNESSES ARE LIKELY. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS...STAY IN AN AIR-CONDITIONED ROOM...STAY OUT OF THE SUN... AND CHECK UP ON RELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS."

The West Grove Fire Company urges residents and visitors to the area to heed the advice of the Weather Service. Drink plenty of fluids, seek shade, and watch for the signs of heat emergencies. The difference between "heat exhaustion" and "heat stroke" can mean life and death. Persons exceptionally hot, with a bad headache, no sweating with dry skin, and temperatures at 103 degrees or above and with a rapid pulse and nauseous are having a dangerous health emergency -- call 911 immediately.

Also remember that sunny hot weather means more people will be in pools. Always watch young children around water, and keep an eye on all adults swimming. Alcohol and swimming are a bad combination -- so have a responsible adult as a "lifeguard" which is a seriously important job, and not one to take lightly.

Reminder: never, ever leave children or pets in a closed car when the temperature is this warm. Even a few minutes can be life threatening. A locked child or pet in a hot car is a true emergency -- seek help or call 911 immediately.

Remember -- fire hydrants are not water fun stations, and are only to be used for fire fighting purposes. The WGFC is ready if you need us...but we don't want to see you this weekend. So follow these guidelines, and be summer safe this weekend.