As summer in Avondale hits the heatwave button, Avondale, in partnership with the Maricopa Association of Governments, is extending a lifeline to beat the heat—boosting its Heat Relief Network to keep folks cool and hydrated through September 30.

Starting May 1, the Arizona Complete Health Avondale Resource Center—now a designated cooling center, with air-con and cold water on tap during regular hours, and, now, the weekends too from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Avondale's libraries are following suit, doubling as hydration stations, while the WeRide micro-transit vehicles act as mobile oases, offering a cold drink for those on the move.

"Avondale understands the importance of proactive measures to prevent heat-related illnesses, particularly among vulnerable populations. Residents are advised to increase their fluid intake, limit outdoor activities during peak heat hours, and seek shade whenever possible. Moreover, we encourage community members to check on elderly neighbors and assist those in need during extreme heat events," Chris Lopez, director of Neighborhood and Family Services, underscored in a statement obtained by the city's official news release. Residents are being urged to drink more fluids, ditch outdoor activities when the sun is a tyrant, and stick to the shade like it's their best friend.

The Avondale Police Department is stepping into the fray with its Beat the Heat program. From May 31, the boys in blue will be hydrating bodies and minds, doling out water and wise words about staying cool to everyone they meet. There's also a direct hotline to the dispatch center for those feeling the heat, a practical move aimed at bolstering community safety during the sizzle months.

The city is calling on residents to look out for each other, especially the elderly, as the thermometer climbs. For the full breakdown of heat relief stations, open hours, and tips on how to stay chill, citizens can head over to the Heat Relief Network website.