P-J file photo

Chautauqua County officials on Thursday urged local residents to use caution to beat the heat as high temperatures are expected to move into the area Friday. That includes utilizing any of 16 cooling stations throughout the county.

The warning comes as the National Weather Service in Buffalo issued a heat advisory from noon Friday to 6 p.m. Saturday. The areas include Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Erie, Wyoming and Genesee counties.

“In the coming days we will see the highest temperatures so far this year here in Chautauqua County,” County Executive George Borrello said. “Please be aware of the impact this heat and humidity can have on you, your loved ones and your pets.”

“It is critically important to stay cool, stay hydrated, and know the symptoms of heat-related illnesses,” said Christine Schuyler, County Director of Health and Human Services. “Infants, children, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases such as heart disease and high blood pressure are especially at risk of heat-related illnesses and death.”

According to the National Weather Service, the Jamestown area could see temperatures at about 89 degrees Friday. The forecast also calls for scattered showers and thunderstorms.

On Saturday, the area could see temps as high as 91 degrees, with a stray shower or storm possible.

Further north, an excessive heat watch remains in effect from Friday afternoon through Saturday afternoon. The watch is for Niagara, Orleans, Monore, Wayne, Northern Cayuga, Livingston and Ontario counties.

“Heat illnesses likely for those spending prolonged periods outdoors or in non-air-conditioned locations,” the weather service said. “Prolonged heat is most dangerous for young children and the elderly.”

The cooling stations will be at the following locations:

• Ahira Hall Memorial Library, 37 W. Main St., Brocton

• Anderson-Lee Library, 43 Main St., Silver Creek

• Ashville Free Library, 2200 N. Maple Ave., Ashville

• Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc, 10825 Bennett Road, Dunkirk

• Chautauqua Opportunities Inc, 402 Chandler St., Jamestown

• Darwin R. Barker Library Assoc., 7 Day St., Fredonia

• Chautauqua County Health and Human Services, 319 Central Ave., Dunkirk

• Chautauqua County Health and Human Services, 110 E. Fourth St., Jamestown

• Chautauqua County Health and Human Services, 7 N. Erie St., Mayville

• Dunkirk Public Librar, 536 Central Ave., Dunkirk

• Ellington-Farman Free Library, 760 Thornton Road, Ellington

• Fluvanna Free Library, 3532 Fluvanna Ave. Ext., Fluvanna

• Hazeltine Public Library, 891 Busti-Sugar Grove Road, Jamestown

• James Prendergast Library Assoc., 509 Cherry St., Jamestown

• Patterson Library, 40 S. Portage St., Westfield

• Sinclairville Free Library, 15 Main St., Sinclairville

County officials also offered the following tips:

• Schedule outdoor activities carefully: Try to limit your outdoor activity to when it’s coolest, like morning and evening hours. Rest often in shady areas so that your body has a chance to recover.

• Pace yourself: Cut down on exercise during the heat. If exertion in the heat makes your heart pound and leaves you gasping for breath, STOP all activity. Get into a cool area or into the shade, and rest, especially if you become lightheaded, confused, weak, or faint.

• Wear sunscreen: Sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool down and can make you dehydrated. If you must go outdoors, protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going out. Continue to reapply it according to the package directions.

• Do not leave children or pets in cars: Cars can quickly heat up to dangerous temperatures, even with a window cracked open. While anyone left in a parked car is at risk, children are especially at risk of getting a heat stroke or dying.

• Drink plenty of fluids: Drink more fluids, regardless of how active you are. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. If your doctor limits the amount you drink or has you on water pills, ask how much you should drink while the weather is hot.

Stay away from very sugary or alcoholic drinks – these actually cause you to lose more body fluid.

• Replace salt and minerals: Heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from the body that need to be replaced. A sports drink can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. If you are on a low-salt diet, have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other chronic conditions, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage or taking salt tablets.

• Keep your pets hydrated: Provide plenty of fresh water for your pets and leave it in a shady area.