Less than a week into summer, Newtown has entered its first heat wave of 2013.

There is a cooling trend in site by week’s end, but for today and tomorrow First Selectman Pat Llodra, Newtown’s Emergency Management Director Bill Halstead and the Newtown Health District are working to prevent local citizens from becoming victims of the heat during these days of extremely high temperatures.

The weather forecast is for daytime temperatures in excess of 90 degrees, with a heat index of 101 degrees, through Wednesday. Cooler air is anticipated by Thursday and continuing into the weekend. But officials say while the extreme heat is hanging over the region, residents have several locations from which to choose to seek relief.

Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street at Fairfield Hills, is open from 7 am to 8 pm. Call the First Selectman’s office at 203-270-4201, the Emergency Management/Fire Marshal’s office at 203-270-4370, or the Health District at 203-270-4291 for details.

Cyrenius H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street, is also available as a cooling center Monday through Thursday from 9:30 am to 8 pm, Friday from 11 am to 5 pm, and Saturday from 9:30 am to 5 pm.

Newtown Senior Center, 14 Riverside Road in Sandy Hook, is available Monday through Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm.

Officials ask that residents check on any elderly or frail neighbors to be certain they are doing alright in this weather.

“You might want to suggest that they come to the Municipal Center, or any other cool locations if their residence is overheated,” Ms Culbert said in a release.

Individuals are urged to take the following steps to ensure good hot weather health:

*Drink plenty of water.

*Avoid strenuous activities.

*Take frequent rests for cooling down in an air conditioned area or near a fan.

*Wear light, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing.

*Avoid alcohol and caffeine.

*Eat lightly throughout the day,

*Avoid exposure to direct sunlight or long periods in the sun (especially between the hours of noon and 4 pm, which are the hottest hours during the day).

Heat related illness has some common symptoms that should be watched for, including dry red spotted skin, mental confusion, body temperature at or above 105 degrees F, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, headache, nausea, cramps or a developing rash.