Andover's Robb Center Open Wed. And Thurs. As A Cooling Center

ANDOVER, MA —With temperatures expected to hit 95 degrees on Wednesday and 94 degrees on Thursday, the Town of Andover has announced it has opened a cooling center for anyone who needs relief from the excessive heat.

From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, the cooling center will be open at the Robb Center, located at 30 Whittier Court. A movie will be shown at that location at 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, the town said.

Friday's forecast also calls for a high temperature of 95 degrees, and the Town of Andover said it may expand the days or hours at the Robb Center based on community need.

In addition to the Robb Center, the town said there are other ways to beat the heat in Andover.

The Memorial Hall Library, 2 N Main St, is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday through Sunday.

Pomps Pond, located at 147 Abbot Street, is open from noon to 7 p.m. on Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The daily rate for Andover residents is $5 per person Monday through Friday and $10 per person on Saturday and Sunday.

The Town of Andover also offers these tips to stay safe during the extreme heat:

• Never leave children or pets alone in a closed vehicle. Even with the windows cracked open, interior temperatures can rise rapidly within a few minutes.
• Slow down and avoid strenuous activity.
• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. Light colors reflect heat and sunlight and help maintain normal body temperature.
• Drink plenty of water — even if you are not thirsty. Avoid alcoholic beverages and liquids high in sugar or caffeine. If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink, ask how much you should drink during hot weather.
• Eat well-balanced, light, regular meals.
• Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun. Do not leave pets outside for extended periods of time.
• If you must be outdoors, limit your outdoor activity to the morning and evening hours. Try to rest often in shady areas so your body temperature will have a chance to recover. Use sunscreen with a high SPF and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
• If you do not have air conditioning, stay on your lowest floor, out of the sun. Use fans to stay cool and avoid using your stove and oven. Consider spending time in air-conditioned public spaces, such as schools, libraries, theaters and other community facilities.
• On hot days, more people cool off around bodies of water. Playing in and around water can increase the risk of drowning. Learn how to keep yourself and your children safe in and around water with these Water Safety Tips.
• If there are power outages during warm weather, you may need to take additional precautions or go to a cooling center or emergency shelter to stay cool.
• Know the symptoms of and watch out for heat-related illnesses. Call 9-1-1 to report emergencies.
• Be a good neighbor. Check on family, friends, and neighbors, especially the elderly, those who live alone, those with medical conditions, those who may need additional assistance, and those who may not have air conditioning.

Here are the signs of heat-related illness, and how it should be treated:

• Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms caused by heavy sweating.

Symptoms: Muscular pains and spasms that usually occur in the legs or abdomen.

Treatment: Get the person to rest in a comfortable position in a cooler place. Give the person water or fluids with electrolytes to help them rehydrate.

• Heat exhaustion typically occurs when people overexert themselves in a warm, humid place, and often affects those doing strenuous work in hot weather. Body fluids are lost through heavy sweating and blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to vital organs to decrease. This results in a form of mild shock.

Symptoms: Cool, moist, pale or flushed skin, nausea, dizziness, headache, weakness and/or exhaustion.

Treatment: Get the person to rest in a comfortable position in a cooler place. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. If the person is conscious, give them half a glass of cool water or fluids with electrolytes every 15 minutes, making sure the person drinks slowly. Watch the person carefully for changes in his or her condition and call 9-1-1 if it doesn’t improve.

• Heat stroke is the most serious heat emergency and is life-threatening. Heat stroke develops when systems in the body begin to stop functioning due to extreme heat. Heat stroke may cause brain damage or death if the body is not cooled quickly.

Symptoms: Extremely high body temperature, hot and red skin (dry or moist), loss of consciousness, changes in level of responsiveness rapid and weak pulse, rapid and shallow breathing, vomiting, confusion, and/or seizures.

Treatment: A person suffering from heat stroke needs immediate assistance. Call 9-1-1 and move the person to a cooler place. Immerse the individual in a cool bath, wrap in cold wet sheets, or cover the person in bags of ice.

More information about heat-related illnesses is available on the CDC website.