NOTE: This story has been updated to include information and comments from First Selectman Pat Llodra, Emergency Management Director Bill Halstead and Health District Director Donna Culbert.

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Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is forecasting unhealthy air quality for “sensitive groups” Tuesday and Wednesday, July 28 and 29, due to predicted elevated ground-level ozone pollution for southern sections of Fairfield and New Haven counties on Tuesday, and all of Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex, and New London counties on Wednesday.

A forecast of “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” indicates increased likelihood of respiratory symptoms and breathing discomfort in active children and adults with respiratory disease, such as asthma and the elderly.

When air pollution levels are predicted to be “unhealthy for sensitive groups” DEEP recommends:

*Conserving electricity by setting air conditioners to 78

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*“ to use energy intensive appliances like washing machines, dryers and dishwashers;Wait ‘til 8”

*Driving less by carpooling, vanpooling or using public transit;

*Telecommuting if possible; and

*Refueling vehicles after dusk and never idling a vehicle unnecessarily.

Humidity in Newtown, according to the National Weather Service, was at 82 percent at 9:51 Tuesday morning. The day is expected to be "mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 91. Light southwest wind."

Wednesday's forecast is for "sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoing southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon."

Hot and muggy conditions "can be expected through mid week as warm high pressure builds east from the Midwest and Great Lakes states," the weather service had posted on its website Tuesday morning. "Most areas will see highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s under mostly sunny skies today. Low tempertures will only cool down into the upper 60s to mid 70s overnight.

"High pressure remains over the region Wednesday with increasing heat and humidity levels," the weather service bulletin continues. "Temperatures will be in the 90s across the area with few clouds to provide relief."

Town Officials Urge Caution

In response to the expected temperatures, humidity and unhealthy air quality expected this week, Newtown’s offices of the First Selectman, Emergency Management and the Health District have issued the following information to prevent residents of all ages from becoming victims of the heat during these days of extremely high temperatures.

The weather forecast is for hot temperatures throughout the week. Residents should feel free to visit any of the locations listed below to seek relief from the heat:

Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street at Fairfield Hills (the building is open Monday through Thursday, 70 am to 9 pm; and Friday, 7 am to 5 pm).

Cyrenius H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street (telephone 203-426-4533; hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:30 am-8 pm; Friday, 11 am-5 pm; and Saturday, 9:30 am-5 pm). This afternoon, guests ages 11-14 are invited to help Girl Scout Sabrina Boccuzzi as she works toward her Girl Scout Silver Award. From 3 to 4:30, young adults can join Sabrina for “Cracked Marble Necklaces and Key Chains,” the first of three workshops she is leading  in as many weeks. Today, participants will bake glass marbles, quickly chill them, and then create original necklaces and key chains using the gemlike cracked marble pieces. Class size is limited, however, so call ahead to see if there is still room available.

On the library’s schedule for Wednesday, July 29, is Mother Goose on the Loose, at 10 am, a 45-minute interactive program of rhymes, songs and movement for children up to age 2 and their caregiver (no registration required); Lego WeDo Construction Lab at 2 pm, where ages 7-10 are invited to use a Lego WeDo Construction Kit — a simple robotics tool that allows users to design their own interactive machines, and them program them using drag-and-drop software (think Scratch) — for up to 60 minutes (class is limited to just 8 participants, however, and registration is requested; visit chboothlibrary.org); and chbMakers: Stop Motion Animation, a 90-minute opportunity beginning at 3 pm for ages 10 and up to learn stop motion animation using iPads and free aps.

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Newtown Senior Center, 14 Riverside Road (203-270-4310; open Monday through Friday, 8 am-4:30 pm); and

Edmond Town Hall Theatre, 45 Main Street (203-426-2475). The featured movies through August 2 are Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 and Mad Max: Fury Road. Paul Blart, rated PG, is being screened daily at 1 and 7 pm; Mad Max, rated R, is being screened at 4 and 9 pm each day. Tickets for all shows are $2 each.

First Selectman Pat Llodra, Emergency Management Director and Fire Marshal Bill Halstead, and Health District Director Donna Culbert also suggest that residents do your shopping, errands, etc during early morning or later evening hours.

“Our grocery stores are full of healthy choices and air-conditioning as are many of our local businesses,” the town leaders said via press release July 28. “We ask that you please check on any elderly or frail neighbors to be certain they are doing OK 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.”

Monitor pets as well, the town officials remind everyone. “Keep them out of the sun, do not leave them in cars, even with the windows open and be sure they have plenty of water.”

Residents are also urged to take the following steps to ensure good 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.

The Air Quality Index is forecast to be Moderate to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. Heat related illness has some common symptoms that should be watched for, including dry, red spotted skin; rash, mental confusion, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, headache, nausea, cramps and/or body temperature at or above 105 degrees F.

“If you or someone experiences these symptoms, call 911,” the town officials urge.

For additional information or concerns, the Office of the First Selectman can be reached by calling 203-270-4201; Emergency Management/Fire Marshal at 203-270-4370; and the Health District at 203-270-4291.