Local Officials Helping with Heat Battle

From Suffolk County agencies to the Town of Brookhaven and Islip, local authorities are preparing for the current heat wave in various ways.

The county and Islip officials are designating the Caesar Trunzo Senior Center in Brentwood an official county “cooling center” to accommodate those seeking refuge from the heat, they said in a release. The center, located at 16 2nd Avenue in Brentwood, will be open Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

"When severe summer heat moves in it is important for residents be able to secure cool respite," said Suffolk County Exec. Steve Levy in a statement. "Partnering with Islip Town, we have provided a place for residents to come into an air-conditioned location, hydrate, and have a snack to ward off the health risks produced by summer heat."

The New York State Department of Transportation has declared Friday an Air Quality Action Day in the local area due to forecasted high levels of ground-level ozone and particulate matter pollution, according to Clean Air NY.

Clean Air NY said ground-level ozone is a respiratory irritant that can trigger asthma attacks and aggravate emphysema, bronchitis and other respiratory ailments.

Assemblyman Dean Murray said that New York State has set aside $3 million in funding through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program to provide air conditioning units for qualified senior citizens and other at-risk households.

“The heat wave that New York State is enduring is not something to be taken lightly.   Qualified seniors and homeowners should apply in order to protect their families, especially seniors and children, from this deadly heat,” said Murray in a statement. “This program is critical to senior citizens and other high-risk families who do not have the proper units to ensure safety from the heat.   If you have someone in your family who may be at risk of a medical emergency, I encourage you to find out if they qualify for this program.”

According to Murray, eligibility for the program is determined by: LIHEAP low-income guidelines. (For a four-person household, the maximum gross annual income to qualify is approximately $48,000.); Having at least one household member who has been diagnosed with a chronic or acute medical condition which is aggravated by exposure to extreme heat situations; A doctor providing written documentation (dated within the last six months) that air-conditioning assistance is critical to prevent a heat emergency; and households that have a working air conditioner or have received one from the State in the last 10 years are not eligible.

The Suffolk County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services offer the following tips to prevent heat-related illness:

• Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Warning: If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask him how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
• Don’t drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar–these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.
• Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library–even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. Call your local health department to see if there are any heat-relief shelters in your area.
 
• Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle.
• Although any one at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. Check regularly on: Infants and young children; People aged 65 or older; People who have a mental illness; Those who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure; Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children, of course, need much more frequent watching.
• If you must be out in the heat: Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours; Cut down on exercise. If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour. A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat; and try to rest often in shady areas; Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat (also keeps you cooler) and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels).