5 Tips for Surviving an Arizona Summer

Arizona is warm and sunny all year round. However, temperatures can get hot in the summer. The summer heat can be especially difficult for those who didn’t grow up in Arizona. Keep reading to learn five tips on how to survive an Arizona summer.

Stay Hydrated
In the summer months, water is your best friend. If you’re going out for the day, be sure to bring a bottle of water with you. Trust me: you don’t want to be caught in the heat without something to drink. Additionally, make sure you make an effort to drink your water. Once you start to feel thirsty, it is too late. You are better off sipping on your water periodically throughout the day to stay healthy and hydrated.

Wear Sunblock
The Arizona sun is no joke. If you plan on spending the day outdoors, you should wear some sunblock, so you don’t get a sunburn. Repeated exposure to the sun’s dangerous rays won’t only leave you with a painful red complexion; it could also result in skin cancer.

Check the Weather
Before you plan an afternoon hike with your friends, you should check how hot it will be. On a particularly overcast day, an afternoon hike might be okay. However, if the weather app on your phone tells you to prepare for sun and hot temperatures, a morning or evening hike would be wiser options.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Now that the warm weather is back, so are the scorpions and rattlesnakes. An attack by either would not only be very painful, but it could also be dangerous. Although it is best to try avoiding these pests altogether, if you get bitten by a rattlesnake, it is best to call 911 and keep the bitten region below your waist to slow the spread of the venom. Scorpions are less dangerous, but you still shouldn’t provoke them. Some ways to avoid them are by being conscientious of where you walk and by shaking out your shoes before you put them on. (In case a scorpion is hiding inside.)

Stick to the Shade
If you find yourself outdoors for an extended period, it would be wise to stick to the shade. By sticking to the shade, you will decrease your risk of sunburn and dehydration. One thing you could do is park by a tree or in some other shady spot whenever possible.