Greenwich City opens refrigeration centers
Connecticut has activated its heat-related protocol and Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo will open several cooling stations around the city starting at noon on Sept. 5 for residents seeking relief from the heat.
Cooling stations will be open until 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 7, which is when the state’s heat-related protocol also expires.
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures are expected to reach the 90s on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, making the Heat Index values appear to be much hotter.
City Libraries and the Bendheim Western Greenwich Civic Center will be open normal hours, as will the City Hall. The Margenot Atrium of the Greenwich Public Safety Complex will be open 24 hours for public access if required.
These facilities will be available to any resident who needs a respite from the heat or needs to charge small electronic devices, such as phones or laptops.
Greenwich refrigeration centers will be at:
Greenwich Library, 101 W. Putnam Street:
9 am – 9 pm: from Monday to Thursday.
Perot Memorial Library, 90 Soundbeach Street, Old Greenwich:
9 am – 6 pm: Monday, Wednesday, Friday.
9 am – 8 pm: Tuesday and Thursday.
Byram Schubert Library, 21 Mead Street:
9 am – 5 pm: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday.
10 am – 6 pm: Tuesday.
Noon – 8 pm: Thursday.
Kos Kob Library, 5 Sinawy Road, Kos Kob:
Noon – 8 p.m.: Monday.
9 am – 5 pm: Tuesday – Saturday.
Bendheim Western Greenwich Civic Centre, 449 Pemperwick Road.
9 am – 9 pm: Monday – Friday.
Greenwich Public Safety Complex, 11 Bruce Place:
· 24 hours
City Hall, 101 Field Point Road:
8 AM – 4 PM: All days of the week
The City Health Department is reminding residents that heat-related illnesses are a threat to public health and that all residents, especially young and elderly people with medical or mental health conditions, use medications that interfere with body temperature regulation, those without air conditioning, or those whose work requires outdoor activities, and people who are socially isolated should pay special attention to the weather.
Keep children and pets indoors, except for short stays outside. Always avoid exposure to direct sunlight and give pets plenty of water to drink. Drink plenty of fluids, regardless of your activity. Avoid drinks that contain caffeine or alcohol, or those that contain large amounts of sugar and salt. Those who take a limited amount of fluids should see their doctor.
Never leave anyone or pets in a parked car, even with the windows open, and don’t leave food in the car or outside because food spoils quickly. It is also important to recognize the symptoms of heat-related illnesses that can become medical emergencies.
Heatstroke is also called “heatstroke”. The victim’s temperature control system, which produces sweat to cool the body, stops working. The skin becomes red, hot, and dry, and the body temperature may rise. The victim may also be disoriented, have seizures, breathe shallowly, and have a weak or rapid pulse. This is the most serious heat-related illness and people who develop these symptoms should seek emergency medical attention by calling 911.
Heat cramps are muscle aches and spasms that result from intense exertion. Although heat cramps are the least serious heat-related illness, they are an early sign that the body is having trouble adjusting to the heat and should be treated promptly with rest and fluids. Direct stretching or pressure can also reduce spasms. Unless heat cramps are very severe, they do not require emergency medical attention.
Heat exhaustion occurs when body fluids are lost through excessive sweating due to vigorous exercise or working in a hot, humid place. Symptoms include: sweating. Pale, clammy skin. exhaustion; headache; Dizziness; Shallow breaths and a weak or rapid pulse. Heat exhaustion victims feel tired but not disoriented. The condition should be treated with rest in a cool area, drinking water or electrolytes, elevation of the feet 12 inches, and further medical treatment in severe cases. If not treated, the victim’s condition may progress to heatstroke. If the victim does not respond to basic treatment, seek medical attention.
Heat terms:
• Heat Warning: When the heat index exceeds 100 degrees Fahrenheit for less than three hours per day for two consecutive days.
• Heat Index: An index in degrees Fahrenheit that shows how it feels when humidity is factored into the air temperature.
• Heat wave: a prolonged period of excessive heat often accompanied by excessive humidity. • Excessive Heat Warning: When the heat index is expected to exceed 115°F or has been in excess of 100°F for three hours or more for two consecutive days.
• Temperature monitoring: long-term overheat alert.
• Ozone Warning: Issued when ozone levels are expected to exceed dangerous levels. People should be especially careful to avoid strenuous activities, especially those with respiratory problems such as asthma.
Tips for staying calm:
• Slow down and avoid stressful activities.
• Avoid too much sunlight. Sunburn slows down the skin’s ability to cool itself. The sun will also heat the inside of your body, which will lead to dehydration.
• Wear lightweight, light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing that covers as much skin as possible to prevent sunburn.
• Take frequent breaks if you have to work outside and use the buddy system when working in extreme temperatures. Exposure to heat can affect judgment. If you’re working alone, you might not even notice.
• Avoid extreme changes in temperature. Taking a cold shower immediately after getting out of high temperatures can lead to hypothermia, especially for the elderly and the very young. Give your body a chance to adjust to the extreme temperature changes.
More information from the Greenwich Department of Health on heat-related illness is available online here.
