As temperatures in Southwest desert cities such as Phoenix and Las Vegas reach summertime highs there are increasing risks of serious burn injuries and heat strokes to people exposed to outdoor asphalt, concrete, metal and similar surfaces. For some, the injuries are fatal. Children in particular are not often unaware of risk they face in the sizzling heat, says Ariane Middel, an urban climate researcher and associate professor in the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, part of the Fulton Schools. Middel says cities need to consider using other types of materials instead of those that turn urban infrastructure surfaces into heat sponges.