Cooling Centers Activated In Norwalk Due To High Temperatures: Mayor

NORWALK, CT — Mayor Harry Rilling announced Monday the city has activated Norwalk's cooling centers throughout the community due to forecasted "hot temperatures and high humidity."

In a news release, Rilling said the cooling centers are activated effective immediately through Tuesday as Norwalk experiences "temperatures in the low 90's with heat indexes pushing well into the 90's, making the temperature feel much hotter."

Hot temperatures and high humidity can potentially cause heat-related illness, especially among vulnerable populations, and the city encourages everyone to stay hydrated and limit strenuous exercise activities outdoors through Sunday.

Additionally, due to the high projected heat index values, the city of Norwalk's garbage and recycling collection will start at 6 a.m. rather than 7 a.m. on Tuesday. City officials said they recommend residents who have their regular garbage and recycling collected on Tuesdays take their bins out Monday evening to avoid any confusion.

"I've activated Norwalk's cooling centers as the combination of high temperatures and humidity can be dangerous for people's health," Rilling said in a news release. "To help stay cool, you can visit our Norwalk Library Main Branch on Belden Avenue or our SoNo Library on Washington Street. You can also visit the Community Room in our Police Department in SoNo, which is open 24 hours a day. Heat index values of this kind can cause heat-related illnesses among humans and animals, and I urge everyone to stay hydrated and seek out cool environments."

Homes without air conditioning can be much hotter than outdoor temperatures. Anyone needing a place to get out of the heat can go to one of the following cooling centers across Norwalk below.

Residents can contact or visit the Norwalk Community Resource Hub at (203) 854-7999 during regular business hours at City Hall for resources and assistance. For overnight shelter assistance or other urgent help, please contact CT United Way/Infoline at 2-1-1, according to the city.

• The Norwalk Police Department Community Room (1 Monroe Street)
  • Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Norwalk Library- Main Branch (1 Belden Avenue)
  • Monday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• South Norwalk Library Branch (10 Washington Street)
  • Monday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Tuesday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The city also recommends people without access to air-conditioning also consider going to nonofficial city cooling centers, such as visiting their friends or family who have air conditioning or going to the movies, SoNo Collection Mall or other community spaces with air conditioning.

The city encourages residents to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) recommendations to monitor those at high risk from the heat.

While anyone can suffer from heat-related illness at any time, the following people are at greater risk than others, according to the city:

• Infants and young children.
• People 65 years of age or older.
• People who are overweight.
• People who overexert during work or exercise.
• People who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure, or who take certain medications, such as for depression, insomnia, or poor circulation.

The following tips from the CDC can help you stay cool during the hot days ahead:

• Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun's energy. It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella.
• Drink water. Carry water with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body.
• Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat.
• Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m.
• Stay indoors when possible. If air-conditioning is not available where you are, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine. Remember that electric fans do not cool; they circulate the air.
• Be a good neighbor. During heat waves, check in on elderly residents in your neighborhood and those who do not have air conditioning.
• Be mindful. Never leave people, especially children and pets, in a closed or parked vehicle.
• Don't get too much sun. Sunburn makes cooling down much more difficult.
• Stay cool. If there is no air conditioning or fans in your home, consider visiting with friends or family who have air conditioning or one of the city's cooling centers mentioned above.

More information on how to take proper precautions during extreme heat is available at www.ready.gov/heat.