Code Red Heat Alert Issued In Delaware County

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — The Delaware County Health Department issued a Code Red alert for excessive heat Sunday, and the alert is effective through 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Heat Health notifications are guided by temperature and relative humidity percentage. A Code Red notification occurs when temperatures reach 95 degrees Fahrenheit or higher during the hours of noon to 8 p.m. for two or more hours.

Residents are advised to drink plenty of water, stay out of the sun and in air-conditioned spaces, check on their older neighbors, and never leave children and pets in cars.

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Start your workday well-hydrated to maintain hydration throughout. If you starting becoming dehydrated, you may struggle to meet your body’s water needs during the day. Drink before feeling thirsty, as thirst signals dehydration. Dehydration can reduce work performance and contribute to heat exhaustion. Aim to drink one cup of water every 15 to 20 minutes, for 24 to 32 ounces per hour. Avoid drinking more than 48 ounces per hour to prevent a dangerous drop in blood salt levels.

Replenish fluids lost through sweat by drinking water after work, especially if you work in heat regularly. Proper hydration reduces the risk of conditions like kidney stones and eases the strain of dehydration on your body.

Pets need extra care during extreme temperatures, as they cannot care for themselves. There are several measures that can be taken to alleviate the repercussions of heat on pets.

Never leave your pet in a parked car. On an 85-degree day, the temperature in a car can reach 102 degrees in 10 minutes, and will continue to climb. Humidity is very detrimental for pets. Dogs pant in order to release moisture from their lungs, which acts as a cooling mechanism since they don't sweat. If there is too much moisture in the air, pets are unable to cool themselves properly. Take your dog's temperature. If it is over 104 F, begin treatment for heat stroke.

Know the symptoms of heat stroke in your pet. Symptoms include heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, excessive thirst, lethargy, profuse salivation, a deep red or purple tongue, lack of coordination, and unconsciousness. To treat heat stroke, move them into a cool, shaded area. Apply ice packs or cold towels to head, neck, and chest and run cool water over them. Let them take small sips of water or eat ice cubes. Take them to the vet immediately.

Only take your pet in the early morning or evening hours to avoid the midday heat. Avoid asphalt as it can get very hot and burn your animal's paws. Give your pets water with ice cubes in it. Eating the ice cubes will help lower their body temperature.

The county's health department and the Department of Emergency Services will monitor conditions using National Weather Service data as part of the county's 2025 heat plan.

When forecasts indicate dangerous heat, such as now, health officials issue a Code Red notification to promote information sharing and as applicable response measures.

Senior centers and libraries across the County will now serve as cooling centers during extreme heat events. Please call or check social media to confirm exact hours of these cooling centers during Code Red events.

Senior Centers

• Chester Senior Center, 721 Hayes Street, Chester, 610-497-3550
• Friendship Circle Senior Center, 1515 Lansdowne Avenue, Darby, East Campus of Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital, 610-237-6222
• Good Neighbor Senior Center, 1085 Hook Road, Darby Township, 610-586-8170
• Hometown Senior Center, 302 S. Jackson Street, Media, PA 19063
• Schoolhouse Senior Center, 600 Swarthmore Avenue, Folsom, 610-237-8100 extension 30
• Surrey Broomall Senior Center, 505 Parkway Drive, Broomall
• Upper Darby Senior Center, 326 Watkins Avenue, Upper Darby, 610-734-7652
• Wayne Senior Center, 108 Station Road, Wayne, 610-688-6246

Residents are also encouraged to seek relief at other community locations such as malls, gyms, or recreation centers.

As in previous years, COSA and partner agencies will check in on vulnerable residents through caregivers and meal delivery drivers, distribute fans and water, and ensure older adults have access to safe indoor environments. All residents are urged to check on our older seniors during extreme heat Code Red notifications or any time they may be at risk.

COSA is making fans available to seniors at all COSA-funded senior centers and at COSA's Baldwin Tower office in Eddystone. Call COSA at 610-490-1300 to learn about free fans. Residents can also visit COSA online here.

Residents are now encouraged to call DCHD’s Wellness Line for heat and wellness information.

"Older adults are particularly vulnerable during high temperature and humidity days for a number of reasons. As we age, we are less able to sweat- a key to keeping our bodies cool on hot days," Health Department Director Lora Siegmann Werner said. "Certain lung and heart conditions are exasperated when it becomes humid. And individuals with dementia and related disorders aren’t always cognizant that drinking more fluids is essential to staying hydrated during heat waves. For these reasons, it’s important that we check in on our elderly neighbors to ensure they are staying cool.”

The Delaware County Department issues initial Code Red notifications via Delco Alert. Residents can sign up for alerts at member.everbridge.net, or text “healthydelco” to 888-777 for Health Department alerts.

The DCHD Wellness Line is always available at 484-276-2100 or email DelcoWellness@co.delaware.pa.us.