The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for Boulder County below 6,000 feet from 11 a.m. Friday to 6 p.m. Saturday, and Boulder County Public Health urged the community to keep safety in mind.

Temperatures in Boulder County and the Denver metro area were forecasted to reach around 100 degrees, with some areas on the Eastern Plains expected to hit up to 103 degrees, according to a news release. Boulder County Public Health released a series of recommended precautions to stay safe and avoid heat-related illness.

“Extreme heat can be dangerous for anyone, but certain groups are more at risk, including older adults, infants and children, people with chronic medical conditions, those without air conditioning, and people who work or exercise outdoors,” the agency said in the news release.

BCPH recommends air conditioning as the most effective protection against extreme heat. Fans alone are not sufficient to prevent heat-related illnesses, so it is advisable to seek out public spaces that are air conditioned if you don’t have air conditioning in your home, according to the release. These might include public libraries, movie theaters, and shopping centers, if open and accessible in your area.

“As we head into summer, we may see more heat advisories like this one,” Kari Middleton, Boulder County Public Health emergency management planner, said in the release. “It’s important to stay aware of the risks and check in on those who may be at higher risk, such as older adults, children, or people without access to air conditioning.”

For a list of tips on staying cool both indoors and outdoors during high heat, how to recognize signs of heat stroke, and protecting your pets, visit Boulder County’s heat emergencies and health page at boco.org/ExtremeHeat.

Tips for staying safe in high heat

Some tips for high heat, according to the county, include:

• Have water on hand at all times.

• Avoid caffeine, alcohol and sugar (these can be dehydrating).

• Drink before you get thirsty.

• Even with windows rolled down in a parked car, it is unsafe to leave children, pets or people with mobility issues in a vehicle during extreme heat.

• Wear sunscreen with 30 SPF or above to avoid sunburns.

• Wear shoes and avoid touching metal surfaces outdoors. Pavement and metal surfaces can cause severe burns.

• Walk companion animals on surfaces that are light in color, dirt and grass. Avoid blacktops.

• Avoid using your oven during the day, as it can make your home hotter.

• Take a cool shower or a bath.

About heat stroke

A heat stroke requires immediate attention and can cause permanent disability or death unless it is treated quickly, according to the county.

Signs of heat stroke, according to the county, include:

• Very high body temperature.

• Skin appears hot to the touch or is red.

• Fast, strong pulse.

• Nausea, confusion or fainting.

What to do: Call 911. Heat stroke is a medical emergency, according to the county. Immediately move the person to a cooler place. Help lower the person’s temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath. Do not give the person anything to drink, according to the county.

If the person is conscious, offer chilled water, a sports drink containing electrolytes or another nonalcoholic beverage without caffeine, the Mayo Clinic website says.

Begin CPR if the person loses consciousness and shows no signs of circulation, such as breathing, coughing or movement, the website adds.