Peabody To Open Cooling Shelters Amid Extreme Heat Advisory

PEABODY, MA — Peabody will open the Torigian Senior Center to the public and invite residents struggling with the heat to cool down at the Peabody Institute Library amid what is expected to be three straight days of 90-degree-plus temperatures starting on Wednesday.

Mayor Ted Bettencourt issued a heat advisory for the city Wednesday through Friday and will open the cooling centers around the city.

The Peter A. Torigian Senior Center located at 75 Central Street is open to the public all three days from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. as well as all three branches of the library for regular hours with air conditioning.

(Also on Patch: Possible Heat Wave In MA: It May 'Feel Like' 100+)

Public Health officials also issued the following heat safety tips for all members of the public:

• Adults and children should use sunscreen containing an SPF-15 or higher and wear protective, loose-fitting clothing, including long sleeve shirts and hats.
• The elderly, young children and those with chronic medical conditions, especially respiratory conditions, are more susceptible to the effects of heat.
• Check-in on the elderly and family or neighbors who may be at risk of heat exhaustion or heatstroke as temperatures climb.
• Children and pets should never be left alone in vehicles, even for short periods of time.
• If you become lightheaded, confused, weak or faint, stop all activity and immediately find shade or a cool area to rest. If symptoms persist, call 911 immediately.
• Limit outdoor activity to morning and evening hours. Rest often in shady areas and be extra cautious from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., when the sun's UV radiation is strongest.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)