Ridgefield Warns Of Hot Weather, Opens Cooling Center

RIDGEFIELD, CT — The town has opened up a cooling center to help residents beat the heat expected over the next three days.

Highs are forecast to reach or exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit each day. In addition, smoke and haze from the Canadian wildfires may lead to unhealthy air quality for vulnerable populations. Air quality alerts have already been issued today for southern Fairfield, New Haven, and Middlesex counties.

Gov. Ned Lamont has directed Connecticut’s extreme hot weather protocol to be activated effective at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, and continue through 8:00 p.m. on Friday, July 7.

The Ridgefield Recreation Center is open to residents who need a place to cool off Monday — Friday 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 6 a.m.- 6 p.m., and Sunday 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Visitors are required to check in at the front desk.

Health officials are warning residents to:

• Drink plenty of water
• Never leave people or pets inside a locked car
• Avoid strenuous activities
• Take frequent rests for cooling down in an air-conditioned area or near a fan
• Wear light, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine, and eat only lightly throughout the day
• Avoid exposure to direct sunlight or long periods in the sun, especially between the hours of noon and 4 p.m., the hottest hours during the day.
• Be on the lookout for these symptoms:
  • Dry red spotted skin
  • Mental confusion
  • Body temperature at or above 105 degrees F.
  • Weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Cramps
  • Rash

If these symptoms are experienced, the patient should be moved to a cooler location, loosen clothing, apply cool wet cloths, and sip water. If the condition persists, call 9-1-1.