GOSHEN - Orange County Executive Edward A. Diana and Orange County Health Commissioner Dr. Jean Hudson would like to advise residents to take precautions as our area is experiencing unusually high temperatures.
“I encourage citizens to heed Dr. Hudson’s advice on preventing heat-related illness,” said Diana. “I also ask that we all act as responsible citizens and check on sick or elderly neighbors,” Diana continued.
“It’s incredibly hot out there! So, below are some precautions to take in hot weather,” said Dr. Hudson.
· PLEASE TURN DOWN YOUR AIR CONDITIONER A LITTLE AND TRY TO CONSERVE ELECTRICITY-----power outages could be deadly with temperatures this high.
- Drink more fluids. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink. Avoid alcohol and caffeine which dehydrate the body.
· Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun's energy. It’s also a good idea to wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella and use a sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher.
- Eat small meals and eat more often. Do not eat a lot of food high in protein, which increases metabolic heat.
- Slow down. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4 AM and 7 AM.
· Never leave a person or an animal in a parked vehicle.
· When temperatures are extreme, stay indoors, ideally in an air-conditioned place.
· If you don’t have air conditioning at home, visit the local library or mall, or call your municipality for other cooling suggestions. Cooling Centers have opened in the city of Middletown, city of Newburgh, and city of Port Jervis. (Addresses below.)
The following municipalities are offering cooling centers:
City of Middletown:
Mulberry House Senior Center
10 Mulberry Street
Shelter Operational Hours: 10am-6pm
Shelter Manager: Danielle Smith / 845-346-4073
* Street side entrance
City of Newburgh
Recreational Center
401 Washington Street
Shelter Operational Hours: 10am-7pm
Shelter Manager: Joy Pitman / 845-565-3230
City of Port Jervis
Salvation Army
99 Ball Street
Shelter Operational Hours: Until 4 pm (later if needed)
Shelter Manager: Alan Kouger / 845-754-1249 cell
845-856-3214 (general) / 845-856-1560 (thrift store)
Check on your neighbors, particularly those who are elderly or who have young children. Although anyone, at any time, can suffer heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. People aged 65 or older are particularly susceptible to heat-related illnesses and complications that can result during periods of high temperatures and humidity. Individuals with chronic respiratory illnesses, such as asthma or diabetes, may also find that their conditions worsen during these times.
Infants and young children are also at increased risk for complications in the summer heat. Reduce the amount of physical activity during hot and humid conditions and arrange outdoor play before 10 AM or after 2 PM in order to avoid the hottest sun of the day.
