Families gather at the splash pad in downtown Elgin's Festival Park late Tuesday morning to try and beat the heat. The Fox Valley sizzled on Tuesday with temperatures in the high 90s with a heat index of over 100. More steamy weather is predicted for Wednesday. (Mike Danahey / The Beacon-News)

The heat is on, and up and down the Fox Valley people are trying to stay cool as temperatures soar into the high 90s.

The scorching weather is expected to continue Wednesday, with things cooling slightly on Thursday, with a high in the low 90s still predicted. A high in the low 80s is predicted for Friday, but temperatures in the mid-90s may return on Monday.

The city of Aurora has opened its cooling center at the Aurora Transportation Center, 233 N. Broadway. It is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Wednesday.

Aurora has opened an emergency cooling center at the Aurora Transportation Center, 233 N. Broadway. (City of Aurora / HANDOUT)

Staying in an air-conditioned indoor location as much as possible is the main action the city is reminding residents to take to prevent heat-related illnesses and injuries, according to a press release.

The city also advises residents to drink plenty of fluids; schedule outdoor activities carefully; wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing; and to wear and reapply sunscreen as indicated on the package.

Officials also said residents should check on friends and neighbors, especially the elderly and disabled, to make sure they are OK during the heat wave.

The city is also reminding residents to never leave children or pets in vehicles in hot conditions like the area is experiencing right now.

People around the Fox Valley looked for ways to beat the heat Tuesday. Kimberly Ahrens said Elgin’s Festival Park along the banks of the Fox River provided ample shade and a comfortable location for her to watch her two children play in the water for a while.

“We’ll probably get some popsicles and ice cream later to keep cool,” the South Elgin mom said.

AAA is urging drivers to be cautious while driving in extreme heat.

“Nothing ruins a summer trip faster than a flat tire, overheated cooling system or battery that quits working on a hot summer day,” said Molly Hart, spokesperson for AAA-The Auto Club Group. “That’s why it is important to perform basic safety checks before you get on the road.”

The club recommends drivers check the vehicle’s battery to make sure it is in good working order. Clean any corrosive build-up from the battery terminals and cable clamps, and ensure the clamps are tight enough that they will not move, AAA officials said in a press release.

Another important element of driving in hot weather is to make sure the engine stays cool. AAA recommends drivers have their vehicle’s system flushed and the coolant replaced periodically as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Also, inspect hoses and drive belts for cracking, soft spots or other signs of poor condition.

The group also said that drivers should make sure their vehicle’s tires are in good shape, and to inflate tires to the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, not the number molded into the tire sidewall.

Vehicles also need fluids during hot weather. Drivers should check all vehicle fluids including coolant, motor oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid and brake fluid to ensure they are filled to the appropriate levels, AAA officials said.

AAA recommends that drivers carry important items like a mobile phone charger, a flashlight with extra batteries, a first aid kit, drinking water, extra snacks and food, booster cables, emergency flares or reflectors, windshield wiper fluid and a basic toolkit with a tire pressure gauge and adjustable wrench whenever they drive, but especially in harsh weather conditions.

AAA officials echoed the city of Aurora about the importance of never leaving a child or animal unattended inside a vehicle on a hot day.

Outside air temperatures in the 90s can rise to 125 degrees inside a vehicle very quickly and can cause brain damage or death to those inside, according to AAA officials.

The group also advises that when parked, people should use a sun shield to cover the vehicle’s windshield to minimize heat buildup and to help protect the car’s interior.

Also, people should remember to remove electronics such as cellphones, iPods and the like from their vehicle, as the high heat can drain the batteries and possibly damage internal components.

The Illinois Tollway Tuesday launched around-the-clock hot weather patrols to more quickly locate and assist customers stranded along its roads during the high temperatures and humidity expected to continue through Thursday, tollway officials said.

The Illinois Tollway typically operates the patrols whenever temperatures or heat indexes indicate conditions could be hazardous for stranded drivers. The 24-hour patrols search for drivers stranded in disabled vehicles and respond to calls that come in to *999 motorist assistance, Illinois Tollway dispatch or Illinois State Police District 15, according to officials.

Freelance reporter Mike Danahey contributed.