Heat Advisory Issued for Bergen County; Cooling Centers Opened

Several designated cooling centers are open in Bergen County for residents to go for relief from the extreme heat that is expected to be with us until late Friday.

A heat advisory has been issued for Bergen County by the National Weather Service through Friday evening and temperatures are expected to climb over 90 degrees with humidity making it feel above 100 degrees. Residents throughout Bergen County are advised to stay indoors during the hours of 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. when the sun is said to be at its strongest.

Cooling centers

In addition to the cooling centers listed below, residents can also seek relief at public libraries, shopping centers and recreation and senior centers.

The is open each week day until til 9 p.m. and the is open daily until 3:30 p.m.

County Administration Building, Multi-Purpose Room, first floor, One Bergen County Plaza     (201) 336-7300. Open from: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Rutherford Senior Center, 55 Kip Center .(201)460-1600. Open form 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The following cooling centers will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Northwest Bergen Multipurpose Senior Activity Center, 46-50 Center St., Midland Park, NJ (201) 445-5690

Bergenfield Senior Center, 239 Murray Hill Terrace, Bergenfield, NJ (201) 387-7212

Southwest Bergen Multipurpose Senior Activity Center, 147 Hackensack St., East Rutherford, NJ (201) 935-8920

Fair Lawn has also announced the opening of three cooling centers that will be open throughout this week’s heat wave.

Community Center: Wednesday through Friday – 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Senior Center: Wednesday through Friday – 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Fair Lawn Library: Wednesday and Thursday - 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tips from NOAA’s National Weather Services

Child Safety Tips

• Make sure your child's safety seat and safety belt buckles aren't too hot before securing your child in a safety restraint system, especially when your car has been parked in the heat.
• Never leave your child unattended in a vehicle, even with the windows down.
• Teach children not to play in, on or around cars.
• Always lock car doors and trunks--even at home--and keep keys out of children's reach.
• Always make sure all children have left the car when you reach your destination.
• Don't leave sleeping infants in the car ever!
  

Adult Heat Wave Safety Tips

• Slow down. Reduce, eliminate or reschedule strenuous activities until the coolest time of the day. Children, seniors and anyone with health problems should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.
• Dress for summer. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing to reflect heat and sunlight.
• Put less fuel on your inner fires.
• Foods, like meat and other proteins that increase metabolic heat production also increase water loss.
• Drink plenty of water or other non-alcoholic or decaffeinated fluids. Your body needs water to keep cool. Drink plenty of fluids even if you don't feel thirsty. Persons who have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease, are on fluid restrictive diets or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a physician before increasing their consumption of fluids. Do not drink alcoholic beverages and limited caffeinated beverages.
• During excess heat periods, spend more time in air-conditioned places. Air conditioning in homes and other buildings markedly reduces danger from the heat. If you cannot afford an air conditioner, go to a library, store or other location with air conditioning for part of the day.
• Don't get too much sun. Sunburn reduces your body's ability to dissipate heat.
• Do not take salt tablets unless specified by a physician.

Pet Care Safety Tips

• Make sure your pet always has plenty of water and access to shelter. If your pet will be outside all day, remember as the sun moves, the shade will move.
• Check your pet's water supply several times each day, making sure the supply is fresh, clean and cool.
• Bathing and grooming may make your pet more comfortable in the heat.
• Never leave your pet in the car, even if the windows are cracked—this can be fatal.
• Make sure walks aren't so long that your pet becomes exhausted or dehydrated.
• If your pet is panting excessively, it is time to rest and get some water.
• Check your pet regularly for fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. They carry diseases that can be transmitted to your pet and are more prominent in the summer. Be sure to keep any outdoor pets on heartworm preventative.
• Only allow your pet to swim when supervised. Even the best swimmers can get into trouble.

Heat Disorder Symptoms

Sunburn: Redness and pain. In severe cases swelling of skin, blisters, fever, headaches. First Aid: Ointments for mild cases if blisters appear and do not break.

If breaking occurs, apply dry sterile dressing. Serious, extensive cases should be seen by physician.

Heat cramps: Painful spasms usually in the muscles of legs and abdomen. Heavy sweating. First Aid: Firm pressure on cramping muscles or gentle massage to relieve spasm. Give sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue water.

Heat Exhaustion: Heavy sweating, weakness, skin cold, pale and clammy. Pulse thready. Normal temperature possible. Fainting and vomiting. First Aid: Get victim out of sun. Once inside, the person should lay down and loosen clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths. Fan or move victim to air conditioned room. Offer sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue water. If vomiting continues, seek immediate medical attention.

Heat Stroke (or sunstroke): High body temperature (106° F or higher), hot dry

skin, rapid and strong pulse, as well as possible unconsciousness.

First Aid: Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency. Summon emergency medical assistance or get the victim to a hospital immediately. Delay can be fatal.

White waiting for emergency assistance, move the victim to a cooler

environment .

Reduce body temperature with cold bath or sponging. Use extreme

caution. Remove clothing, use fans and air conditioners. If temperature rises again,

repeat process. Do not give fluids. Persons on salt restrictive diets should consult a

physician before increasing their salt intake.

For more information contact your local American Red Cross Chapter.