Queen Creek to host bottled water drive

George Headley, East Valley Tribune (Mesa, Ariz.)
·1 min read

May 14—As summer approaches and temperatures return to the high 90s, the Queen Creek Fire and Medical Department (QCFMD) and For Our Town are hosting a bottled water drive to combat extreme heat townwide.

The Queen Creek Fire Department Station 1, located at 20678 E. Civic Parkway, will serve as the donation and distribution center for citizens to contribute resources, where the QCFMD and the Queen Creek Police Department will deliver the donated bottles to individuals in need. The drive's goal is to collect 250 cases of bottled water, according to a statement.

For Our Town is an initiative between the Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce and the town of Queen Creek to address issues in the community, uniting "nonprofit and faith-based organizations, businesses and schools," according to the initiative's website.

The drive brings awareness to the extreme heat set to plague Arizona in the coming months. Maricopa County recorded 643 heat-related deaths in 2023, the highest in the county's history and a 52% increase from 2022, according to Maricopa County's Department of Public Health.

Heat-related illness and death can be prevented by "wearing lightweight clothing," "staying indoors and planning outdoor activities during the coolest parts of the day," according to a statement.

Other tips to avoid heat-related illness are staying hydrated, resting in a shady area, and wearing sun-blocking accessories like wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Another factor mentioned in the release is the prevention of children and pets being left alone in a vehicle. The campaign, "look before you lock," reminds citizens of the importance of never leaving children and pets in a hot vehicle during the summer months.