Stay Cool
Posted at 6:56 am on August 15, 2009 by Catherine
Summers in Dupage County can get HOT and we have some hot days ahead of us. Here’s some good advice for how to stay safe in the heat, courtesy of the City of Naperville. Some of the info will apply only to Naperville residents, but most of it we can all learn from. What do you do to stay cool?
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The Naperville Municipal Center, located at 400 S. Eagle St., can be used as a cooling center Monday through Friday during normal business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents can also seek shelter at the following locations:
- County administrative buildings
- Libraries
- Park District facilities
- Senior Centers
- Township offices
- Shopping malls
- Other public places
After hours and on weekends, residents can immediately go to any of the city’s nine fire stations to seek relief from the heat. If extreme hot weather were to continue for an extended period of time, the city’s emergency response plan would be activated and additional cooling centers would open.
“It’s important to remember that during periods of extreme hot weather, our elderly population, those taking medications for chronic illnesses and those with special needs are among the most vulnerable to heat-related illnesses,” Community Relations Manager Nadja Lalvani said. “Be extra vigilant and check on those individuals often. If you usually check on them once a week, make it once or more a day. Let them know about the cooling centers available.”
During hot weather, it is important to become familiar with the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke and what to do if you or someone you know is suffering from either of these conditions. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include dizziness, nausea, light-headedness, headache, cool and clammy skin, heavy perspiration, shallow breathing, muscle tremors and cramping.
Additional symptoms for heat stroke, which can be fatal, include severe headache, a red and dry face, skin that is hot to the touch, rapid and shallow breathing, significantly elevated body temperature, weak pulse, changes in consciousness and seizures or cardiac arrhythmias. Any person suffering from these symptoms is in a life-threatening situation and 9-1-1 should be called immediately.
The following are hot weather tips to protect yourself from heat-related illnesses:
- Stay in an air-conditioned space at home, the library, the mall, movie theater or at a cooling center.
- Drink lots of water and natural juices. Avoid alcoholic beverages, coffee and soft drinks.
- Keep shades drawn and blinds closed, but keep windows slightly open.
- Stay out of the sun and avoid going out in the heat.
- Keep electric lights off or turned down.
- Take cool baths or showers.
- Wear loose, light cotton clothing.
- Do not eat heavy meals. Avoid cooking with your oven.
- Avoid or minimize physical exertion.
- Do not sit in a hot car, even for a short time. Never leave a child in a hot car.
- Check on family members, friends and neighbors to make sure they stay cool and safe.
- If you or anyone you know needs emergency medical attention, call 9-1-1.
- It is against the law to open a fire hydrant. An open hydrant hinders the fire department’s ability to fight fires, reduces water pressure in your home and may cause basement flooding.
Special Keeping Cool Tips for Seniors
- During heat emergencies, seniors are urged to contact their local area agencies on Aging or the Senior HelpLine at (800) 252-8966 for assistance with locating senior centers, adult day service sites and other buildings that serve as cooling centers.
- Humidity combined with temperature make up the heat index, which is similar to the wind chill factor in winter. If the temperature is in the 90s with high humidity, it can feel like it is well over 100 degrees.
Keeping Cool Tips for Your Pets
- Provide water and shelter from the sun at all times.
- Restrict activity during extreme heat.
- Never leave pets in parked vehicles. Even moderate heat rapidly increases and can kill the pet quickly.
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