KEEP COOL IN THE HEAT

THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS!
July 15, 2016
KEEPING SENIORS SAFE ON THE ROAD
July 15, 2016

As we all hunker down to brave the triple-digit heat in our area this summer, Placer County’s Office of Emergency Services has several useful tips for seniors living without air conditioning or otherwise unable to avoid the heat.

  • Avoid outdoors between 10am and 4pm
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Wear light, loose clothing
  • Use sunscreen and wear a hat
OES Program Manager John McEldowney monitors the National Weather Service and receives updates from federal sources to determine when it is appropriate to activitate the County’s heat emergency action plan which would open cooling centers and extend the hours that the County’s buildings are open the public.  The main trigger, of course, is temperature.  Specifically, the weather must reliably indicate that a continued episode of extreme heat – 3 or more days of 105+ degrees during the day AND 75+ degrees in the evening – is in the forecast.
Most of us would agree that anything over 100 degrees is uncomfortable and warrants time in the A/C.  McEldowney notes that all County libraries are pre-designated as cooling centers, regardless of the temperature, and are open to seniors during regular business hours.  McEldowney all suggests that seniors visit other cooled indoor venues such as museums, movie theaters and restaurants.