Important safety tips from the National Weather Service.National Weather Service

With New Jersey now officially in the midst of a July heat wave expected to stretch into next week, a major priority for most will be figuring out how to stay somewhat cool.

Temperatures will be the 90s for days with the heat index regularly climbing into the 100 to 105 range, the National Weather Service said Wednesday.

Nearly all of New Jersey is under a heat advisory Wednesday and Thursday with the advisory likely to be extended well beyond that, forecasters say. Air quality alerts are also in effect in 11 counties.

At 1 p.m. temperatures had reached 98 in Newark, 94 in Camden and 92 in Trenton, the weather service said. The coolest spot in the state was Harvey Cedars on Long Beach Island where temps were a very moderate 78, according to the state climatologist’s office. West Cape May checked in at 82 degrees, according to NJWeather.org. Later in the day, Newark checked in at 100 degrees.

Overnight temperatures are only expected to fall into the 70s with several muggy evenings lying ahead with the weather service noting homes without air conditioning can get much hotter than outdoor temperatures.

So other than the obvious, like spending the day in an indoor, air-conditioned setting or in a pool or the ocean, what do experts recommend to avoid falling victim to the blazing heat?

The National Weather Service offers the following common-sense suggestions with heat indices as high as 107 in the short-term forecast:

Children, senior citizens and people with chronic illness are among the most susceptible to heat-related illnesses.National Weather Service

MORE: Cooling centers open during dangerous heat wave. Find one near you.

Older adults, children, and people with respiratory problems are especially at risk during extreme heat. These groups should avoid spending an extended period of time outdoors and should stay hydrated and seek out air conditioning. It is important for family members to check in on these vulnerable groups, and keep a watchful eye for signs of heat cramps, heat stroke or heat exhaustion.

Ready.gov, a national emergency preparedness service, advises of the following signs for the conditions:

These are common signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and some tips on how to stay cool during a heat wave.National Weather Service

All but two counties in New Jersey (Sussex and Warren) have the more serious excessive heat warning in effect on Wednesday and Thursday).National Weather Service

Power outages are also a higher risk during extreme heat. PSE&G advises customers to consider the following tips to conserve energy and avoid service interruptions.

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