Clark County, Health District Officials & Community Partners Remind Public of ‘Beat the Heat’ Public Safety Initiative

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 8, 2025

With triple-digit temperatures expected to arrive soon, Clark County, the Southern Nevada Health District and community partners are reminding residents and visitors that Southern Nevada’s desert heat can be dangerous for people of all ages and are offering safety tips to be prepared for the region’s upcoming hot weather.

The annual “Beat the Heat SNV” effort includes public education information and resources on the Health District’s website at www.snhd.info/BeatTheHeatSNV including fact sheets in English and Spanish and public service announcements. According to the National Weather Service, 2024 was the hottest summer on record for Southern Nevada. The average high temperature was 107.6 degrees, with a record number of consecutive days over 110 degrees, including an all-time high of 120 degrees on July 7. More than 3,500 visits to local emergency rooms last year were heat-related, according to SNHD data.

“Summer is right around the corner and it’s important that we work together to raise public awareness about heat safety before our summer season temperatures really start to set in,” said Clark County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick, who spearheaded the Beat the Heat effort and serves as Chair of the Southern Nevada Health District Board of Health that includes officials from all local jurisdictions in Southern Nevada. “Anyone can be affected by the heat if they aren’t prepared for it including children, the elderly and people who work or exercise outdoors.”

Most heat-related medical issues occur because people get overexposed to heat or over-exercise for their age and physical condition according to health officials. Older adults, children and people with mental illness or chronic diseases have the highest risk of heat-related illnesses. Heat illness can also strike physically fit people, especially if participating in strenuous outdoor exercise in hotter weather. In 2024, heat was a factor in 527 deaths investigated by the Clark County Coroner and Medical Examiner’s office, with some cases still pending. The use of alcohol and drugs is often a factor in heat-related deaths. Substance use can dehydrate people and inhibit their desire or ability to access to shade and water.

“Heat-related illness is a preventable public health issue, but one that disproportionately affects vulnerable populations – including older adults, individuals using substances, and those experiencing homelessness,” said Dr. Cassius Lockett, District Health Officer for the Southern Nevada Health District. “In 2024 alone, we saw deaths with heat listed as a contributing factor increase by 73% compared to 2023. As we enter into another extreme heat season, it is critical that we continue expanding outreach, education and resources to ensure all residents have the tools they need to stay safe.”

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps and dizziness. Children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles. Temperatures in a car can rise to 120 degrees when outdoor

temperatures are in the 90s. In 2024, Clark County’s Animal Protective Services Division responded to 400 reports involving animals left unattended in vehicles, mostly in the summer months. County code prohibits people from leaving animals alone in cars during extreme heat. Reports can be made to the agency’s dispatch center at (702) 455-7710. Pets also are required to have access to lots of shade and water when outdoors.

As part of the Department of Environment and Sustainability’s Stay Cool Clark County initiative, Clark County partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to give away 4,500 trees since last year to help add shade and reduce energy costs in neighborhoods impacted by urban heat. The program, called the Community Canopy Project, will resume in the fall. To sign up for the program’s wait list, visit www.StayCoolClarkCounty.com.

Additionally, Clark County’s Social Service Department coordinates with community partners to activate daytime cooling stations throughout the community when excessive heat warnings are issued by the Las Vegas office of the National Weather Service. The cooling centers are open to people experiencing homelessness and others in the community in need of cool, indoor spaces to escape the heat. Locations typically include area community centers, libraries and senior centers. Anyone may dial 2-1-1 to find locations or visit www.HelpHopeHome.org. Any area churches or community groups interested in serving as a cooling center location is encouraged to contact Clark County staff at this email: helphopehome@clarkcountynv.gov. Providers are asked to be willing to open their doors to provide an air-conditioned area for those in need of respite at least six times a year, provide fresh drinking water and be open generally from the hours of 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. There is a particular need for cooling stations on holidays and weekends when public facilities may be closed.

According to the National Weather Service, Las Vegas averages 77 days a year of temperatures that are 100 degrees or higher. It’s hotter in Laughlin and Overton, with an average temperature in July of 110. Laughlin averages 117 days a year that hit 100 degrees or more. Overton averages 108 days a year of 100-plus temperatures. These safety tips also are recommended to cope with the region’s heat:

Drink water even if you don’t feel thirsty.
Limit intake of alcoholic beverages, which contribute to dehydration.
Always carry plenty of water with you and a mobile phone. You never know what might happen during the day that could keep you outdoors longer than anticipated.
Remember to “look before you lock.” Children should never be left alone in a vehicle for any amount of a time, even for a quick errand or quick trip into the home.
Dress for hot weather. Clothing that is loose, lightweight and light-colored reflects heat. Wear a hat.
Use sunscreen with a high SPF to protect against sunburn and skin cancer.
Look in on friends and family, especially the elderly who may need help adjusting to the heat.
Limit errands and outdoor activities to before noon or in the evening to avoid being out during the hottest part of the day.
Always assign a designated water watcher when children are near a pool or any body of water; install barriers between your home and pool; and enroll children in swimming lessons. Additional drowning prevention information is on the Southern Nevada Health District’s website at https://tinyurl.com/2p85xryk.

About Clark County: Clark County is a dynamic and innovative organization dedicated to providing top-quality service with integrity, respect and accountability. With jurisdiction over the world-famous Las Vegas Strip and covering an area the size of New Jersey, Clark is the nation’s 11th-largest county and provides extensive regional services to 2.4 million citizens and 45.6 million visitors a year (2023). Included are the nation’s 5th-busiest airport, air quality compliance, social services and the state’s largest public hospital, University Medical Center. The County also provides municipal services that are traditionally provided by cities to 1 million residents in the unincorporated area. Those include fire protection, roads and other public works, parks and recreation, and planning and development.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.