If You Can’t Stand The Heat…

Officials Take Precautions As Summer Boils Over

By Nancy K. Crevier

Governor M. Jodi Rell issued a heat advisory on Monday, July 31, as Connecticut prepared to take on the dangerous heat and humidity that has plagued other parts of the country in recent weeks. The heat warning was to remain in effect from noon on Tuesday, August 1, to 8 pm on Wednesday, August 2.

That heat advisory was extended Wednesday morning until Thursday, August 3, at 6 pm, according to a severe weather alert issued by weather.com. The special advisory was aimed at the elderly, young children, and those with respiratory conditions. It encouraged local mayors and selectmen to establish “cooling centers,” such as theaters and town centers that could be kept open late each day.

“This heat wave has the potential to be a serious life-threatening situation if precautions are not taken, especially for the elderly, children, and those who work outside,” said Gov Rell.

The state also activated a toll-free phone number Tuesday, August 1, for residents needing heat-related assistance. The number is 1-800-830-9426.

Newtown Emergency Management Director Bill Halstead and Town Health Director Donna Culvert have designated three potential cooling centers, which they said could be opened on short notice. As temperatures threatened to move into the triple digits and humidity rose this week, they identified the high school, followed by the middle school and Reed Intermediate as community cooling centers. All three of those buildings are equipped with emergency generators in case of blackouts or brownouts, she said.

“It would take only a couple of people calling in for us to open up the high school on an as-needed basis,” said Ms Culvert on Tuesday morning. Before doing so, though, she and her staff would determine if the caller needed a break that could be obtained through running errands at air-conditioned businesses or seeking out an air-conditioned restaurant or coffee shop. If the person is unable to help themselves in obtaining relief, they would be directed to call the fire marshal’s office, which also serves as the emergency management director’s office. “Particularly seniors who are living independently without air-conditioning would need to be accommodated,” Ms Culvert said. The Newtown Senior Center is also an option for the mobile elderly who are able to get there during the day, she said.

On Tuesday, the office of the first selectman advised people that by contacting Bill Halstead at the fire marshal’s office, 270-4370, that the high school auditorium could be made available for heat relief. After office hours, residents who feel they need help should call the town dispatch center at 270-4200, or 911, if necessary. People should not go directly to the high school, though. The school needs to be opened at the direction of the emergency management director.

 “We are trying to spread the word,” said director of Newtown Social Services Ann Piccini, who expected that the office would receive calls from residents wondering how they could be accommodated during the intense weather. “Nunnawauk Meadows residents are being advised that the community room there, which is air-conditioned, is open every day until 4 pm.” Not all of the units at Nunnawauk Meadows are air-conditioned, she said, and reiterated that the high school is the designated “cooling center” for those who are suffering from the heat.

Some Newtown residents apparently sought refuge at the Edmond Town Hall Theatre on Tuesday. Manager Tom Mahoney reported 258 in attendance at the afternoon matinee. “We’ve been drawing about 60 to 70 people to this matinee the other days. This was the biggest day all week,” he said. Evening ticket sales were brisk, as well, on Tuesday, and Mr Mahoney said he would not be surprised to see high attendance continue throughout the heat wave.

Parks and Recreation programs were not curtailed or cancelled, despite the brutal heat experienced the early part of the week, but on Wednesday, the Parks and Recreation Department extended pool hours at the high school and at Treadwell Park.

Despite a record temperature for the date recorded in Danbury of 99 degrees on Wednesday afternoon, Connecticut residents did not beat the record for electricity usage set on Tuesday, August 1, of 7,455 magawatts. That record exceeded one set only 15 days earlier in the state. CL&P spokesman Mitch Gross said on Thursday morning that it appeared that many of the state’s citizens had heeded the governor’s plea Wednesday to reduce electricity usage. “A lot of people did listen,” he said, an explanation for why the electricity usage record was not broken yet again on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Ms Culvert urged people to take the hot weather seriously and offered suggestions that apply during any hot spell of the summer. “Stay hydrated with water. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty to drink something.” For people who take part in strenuous outdoor work, sports drinks may be needed to replenish the body, said Ms Culvert.

Looking Out For Others

Looking out for others is also high on her list when temperatures soar. “Check on people you know who live alone. And keep an eye on pets, as well. They should be kept indoors whenever possible, or at least, well out of the sun.” Cold, clean water is as essential for pets as it is for humans to handle the excessive heat successfully, she said.

Other hot weather tips provided by the Newtown Health Department include:

Stay indoors, and if possible, in an air-conditioned place.

A cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place may be more effective than a fan when temperatures reach the high 90s.

Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.

Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle.

Limit outdoor activities to early morning and evening hours. Cut down on exercise.

Try to rest often in shady areas.

Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and use a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher when outdoors.

Seek out public places that offer respite from the heat.

Watch for signs of heat stroke, heat exhaustion, or heat cramps. Heat stroke is accompanied by hot, dry skin, shallow breathing, a rapid, weak pulse, and confusion. Call for emergency medical help if heat stroke is suspected.

Heat exhaustion is characterized by heavy sweating, weakness and cold, pale, clammy skin. There may also be fainting and vomiting. Move the victim to a cool area, sponge bathe with cool water and give sips of water every 15 minutes for one hour.

Heat cramps are painful spasms, usually in leg or abdomen muscles, accompanied by heavy sweating. Apply firm pressure on cramping muscles or gently massage. Give sips of water every 15 minutes for one hour.

The US Environmental Protection Agency New England Regional Office also warned on Monday, July 31, that as the hot weather makes it way into the area, unhealthy air quality might persist. “During days when air quality is reduced, EPA and the medical community suggest residents limit strenuous outdoor activity,” said Robert W. Varney, EPA New England’s regional director.

Exposure to elevated ozone levels, formed when volatile organic compounds and oxides of nitrogen interact in sunlight, said the EPA, can cause serious breathing problems, aggravate asthma and other pre-existing lung diseases, and make people more susceptible to respiratory infection. People can reduce ozone smog by using public transportation, car pooling, and combining automobile trips; avoid using gasoline powered engines on unhealthy air days; and by setting air-conditioning thermostats a few degrees higher to reduce electrical demand. Turn off unnecessary lights, computers, and appliances when they are not in use.

In area cities on Wednesday, August 2, weather.com reported moderate to unhealthy levels of ozone. The EPA consider ground-level ozone to be unhealthy when average concentrations exceed 0.08 parts per million over an eight-hour period.

Cooler temperatures were predicted to bring some relief by the end of the week, but the hot weather and heat related conditions associated with the season are not yet over.

 “Use common sense,” Ms Culvert recommended, to avoid heat stress and other heat-related illnesses. It is the only way to beat the heat.