Residents Urged to Take Precautions as Heat Wave Approaches

With temperatures across the state expected to be well into the 90s this week, Governor Lamont has activated Connecticut’s Extreme Hot Weather Protocol. This protocol is set to be in effect from Noon on Tuesday, June 18th, 2024 through Sunday June 24th, 2024.

Residents are urged to take precautions in advance of this heat wave to prepare themselves and their families. Please review the information below to assist in your preparations. Informational links can be found at the bottom of this release.

• Although anyone can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others:
• Infants and young children are sensitive to the effects of high temperatures and rely on others to regulate their environments and provide adequate liquids.
• People 65 years of age or older may not compensate for heat stress efficiently and are less likely to sense and respond to change in temperature.
• People who are overweight may be prone to heat sickness because of their tendency to retain more body heat.
• People who overexert during work or exercise may become dehydrated and susceptible to heat sickness.
• People who are physically ill, especially those with heart disease or high blood pressure, or who take certain medications, such as for depression, insomnia, or poor circulation, may be affected by extreme heat.

Some prevention tips to stay safe in extreme heat include:

• Keep your body temperature cool to avoid heat-related illness.
• Stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. If you must be outdoors, try to limit your outdoor activity to the morning and evening. Try to rest often in shady areas so that your body has a chance to cool off.
• Find an air-conditioned shelter. (Call 2-1-1 for a list of cooling centers.) Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device.
• Avoid direct sunlight.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Take cool showers or baths.
• Check on those most at-risk several times a day.
• Pets that cannot be brought indoors should be provided ready access to water and shade to keep them cool.
• Never leave pets inside of parked vehicles because temperatures can soar to life-threatening levels within minutes.

Everyone is also reminded to stay hydrated during periods of extreme heat. Because bodies lose fluid through sweat, dehydration is common while experiencing very high temperatures. It is strongly encouraged to:

• Drink more water than usual.
• Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink more fluids.
• Drink two to four cups of water every hour while working or exercising outside.
• Avoid alcohol or liquids containing high amounts of sugar.
• Remind others to drink enough water.

The Town library will be open Tuesday, June 18th and Thursday, June 20th from 10 am to 8 pm and on Friday, June 21 and Saturday, June 22 from 10 am to 5 pm as a cooling center for residents.  Please note that all Town buildings, including the Library, will be closed on Wednesday, June 19th in observance of the Juneteenth holiday.

Also, the Senior Center, while not an official cooling center, will be open Tuesday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm and Thursday from 8:30 am to noon.

The newly opened Crandall Park Beach Front is open 7 days a week, from 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.Please remember:  No lifeguards will be on duty. Your safety is important to us, so please take extra care while enjoying the beach.

Call 2-1-1 or visit their website 211ct.org for a complete listing of area cooling centers.

Click here for Governor Lamont's press release.

Click here for the Department of Public Health's press release.

Click here for the US Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) Extreme Heat web page.

Information forwarded by:Tolland Emergency Management