ROCHESTER, N.Y., Tuesday, July 06, 2010 - The Yates County Red Cross is opening two Cooling Centers in Penn Yan and Dundee today Tuesday, July 6 though Thursday, July 8. The Cooling Centers will be located at the Dundee American Legion, 10 Spring Street, Dundee, NY and United Methodist Church, 166 Main Street, Penn Yan from 2 pm to 6 pm.
“The Cooling Centers will be open to provide visitors with a cool, air-conditioned place to drop in if needed,” said Leighton Jones, Director of Disaster & Emergency Services at the American Red Cross Finger Lakes Region. “There is no commitment for anyone to visit these centers. People can drop in for five minutes or stay the entire time.”
Red Cross tips to beat the heat are also included in this release. For more information on how people can access the Cooling Centers, please call the Yates County Red Cross at (315) 536-6841.
Red Cross Heat Wave Safety Tips:
Prepare. Discuss heat safety precautions with members of your household. Have a plan for what to do if the power goes out.
Dress for the heat. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays. It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella.
Stay hydrated. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine, which dehydrate the body.
Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat.
Slow down and avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4 and 7 a.m. Take frequent breaks.
Stay indoors when possible. If air-conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine. Remember that electric fans do not cool, they simply circulate the air.
Be a good neighbor. During heat waves, check in on family, friends and neighbors who are elderly or ill and those who do not have air conditioning. Check on your animals frequently, too, to make sure they are not suffering from the heat.
Learn Red Cross first aid and CPR/AED.
Know What These Heat-Related Terms Mean:
Heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms that usually occur in the legs or abdomen. They are caused by exposure to heat and humidity, and loss of fluids. Heat cramps are an early signal that the body is having trouble with the heat.
Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs. This results in a form of mild shock. If not treated, the victim may suffer heat stroke. Signals of heat exhaustion include cool, moist, pale flushed or red skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.
Heat stroke: Also known as sunstroke, heat stroke is life-threatening. The victim's temperature-control system, which produces sweat as a way of cooling the body, stops working. Body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Signals include hot, red and dry skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing.
General Care for Heat Emergencies:
Heat exhaustion: Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. If the person is fully awake and alert, give half a glass of cool water every 15 minutes, and have the person drink slowly. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths to the skin. Fan the person. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number if the person refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness.
Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation! Help is needed fast. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Wrap wet towels or sheets around the body. Use a water hose, if available, to cool the victim. Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body. If the victim refuses water or is vomiting or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.
Red Cross training can give you the skills and confidence to act in an emergency. For more information contact your local American Red Cross Chapter or visit www.rochesterredcross.org for heat safety preparedness tips.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. For more information, please visit http://www.rochesterredcross.org or contact us at 585-241-4400.
###