Five Heat Wave Safety Tips

The National Weather Service (NWS) yesterday issued a heat advisory for Bergen County through Friday evening.

Over the next couple of days, temperatures in Fort Lee are expected to approach 100 degrees with high humidity, according to the NWS, and the heat index could go well over 100 degrees.

Here are five “heat wave safety tips” to keep in mind (courtesy of NOAA’s National Weather Service) as Bergen County sizzles:

1. Slow down

Reduce or cancel strenuous, outdoor activities or reschedule them for the coolest times of the day.

2. Stay in cool places and dress for the weather

Children, seniors and people with health problems should stay in the coolest available place, which the NWS points out is not necessarily always indoors. And everyone should wear lightweight, light-colored clothing to reflect heat and sunlight.

3. Stay hydrated

Drink lots of water or other non-alcoholic, decaffeinated fluids even if you’re not thirsty. The body needs water to stay cool. And remember that some meat and other proteins increase metabolic heat production and water loss.

People who suffer from epilepsy or heart, kidney or liver diseases and are on fluid-restrictive diets and people with fluid retention problems should consult a doctor before increasing their fluid consumption. Try not to drink alcohol, and try to limit consumption of caffeinated beverages.

4. Stay out of the sun and don’t take salt tablets unless your doctor tells you to

Sunburn reduces the body's ability to dissipate heat. Other heat disorder symptoms include heat cramps (painful spasms usually occurring in leg and abdominal muscles) and heat exhaustion (heavy sweating, weakness, cold, pale, clammy skin, thready pulse, fainting or vomiting). Get the victim out of the sun, have them lie down and loosen their clothing, apply cool, wet cloths, fan or move the victim to an air-conditioned room and offer sips of water.

Heat stroke (or sunstroke) is a serious medical emergency for which immediate medical attention is required. Symptoms include a high body temperature of 106 degrees or more, hot and dry skin, rapid and strong pulse and possible unconsciousness. Call 911.

5. Get to an air-conditioned place

Air conditioning in homes and other buildings greatly reduces heat-related dangers. If you don’t have an air conditioner, NWS suggests libraries, stores and other public buildings as alternatives.

Bergen County has also established the following four regional cooling centers:

• County Administration Building, Multi-Purpose Room, first floor, One Bergen County Plaza; 201-336-7300
• Northwest Bergen Multipurpose Senior Activity Center, 46-50 Center St., Midland Park; 201-445-5690
• Bergenfield Senior Center, 239 Murray Hill Terrace, Bergenfield; 201-387-7212
• Southwest Bergen Multipurpose Senior Activity Center, 147 Hackensack St., East Rutherford; 201-935-8920

The cooling centers are open through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. as needed. You can all 201-368-5955 for "community transportation," according to county officials.