Heat Advisory Issued for Livingston Area; Health Department Provides Safety Tips and Cooling Center Info

LIVINGSTON, NJ — The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a heat advisory for the Essex County area for Wednesday, Aug. 28, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. According to the NWS, residents of the area can expect temperatures to reach a high of 93 degrees with heat indexes up to 103 degrees.

A "heat advisory" is issued when the combination of heat and humidity is expected to make it feel like it is 95-to-99 degrees for two-or-more consecutive days, or 100-to-104 degrees for any length of time.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE TAPINTO.NET NEWSLETTER

Although the period of the season known as the "Dog Days of Summer" officially ended earlier this month, excessive heat can still be expected over the next few weeks. With high temperatures once again in the forecast ahead of Labor Day Weekend, the Livingston Health Department continues to remind residents to be mindful of the potential dangers of extreme heat and heat-related illnesses and to remember that cooling centers are available throughout the county for those in need.

Extreme Heat Preparation Tips

In extreme heat, the body works much harder to maintain a normal temperature; the extra strain of this can lead to heat stroke, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or — in extreme cases — death. Extreme heat is responsible for the highest number of annual deaths among all weather-related hazards.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “heat-related illness occurs when the body’s temperature control system is overloaded.” Infants, children up to four years of age, and the elderly are at greatest risk for heat-related illness. However, the CDC emphasizes that “even young and healthy people can get sick from the heat if they participate in strenuous physical activities during hot weather.”

The best defense for extreme heat is preparation. To help residents best prepare for these conditions, the LHD shared the following tips.

• Schedule outdoor activities carefully; plan activities when it is cooler in the early morning or evening
  • The hottest time of the day is from about 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Make sure the central air conditioning unit is working properly
  • Install window air conditioners and insulate around them, if central air isn’t a viable option
• Identify places in the community that have air conditioning
  • Libraries, shopping malls, and a friend/family member’s home are all options
  • For information on any cooling centers in the area, contact the Livingston Health Department at 973-535-7961
• Cover windows with blinds, shades, or curtains to help keep the heat out and maintain cooler temperatures inside
• Use a powered attic ventilator or an attic fan to regulate the heat level of a building’s attic by clearing out hot air
  • Heat rises, so a cool attic will help cool the entire building
• Plan meals in advance; try for cool, light meals that avoid using a stove or oven
  • Hot and heavy meals add heat to the body
  • Stoves and ovens increase heat inside a kitchen and a home
• Prepare emergency plans for heat-sensitive family members and make their needs a top priority

Heat Safety Tips

It is important to be safe during extreme heat and be mindful of its potential dangers. The LHD provided the following tips for residents to remember when these conditions occur.

• NEVER leave infants, children, or pets in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked open; hot cars can be deadly within a short period of time

  DOWNLOAD THE FREE TAPINTO APP FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS. AVAILABLE IN THE APPLE STORE AND THE GOOGLE PLAY STORE .

  • As a reminder that a child is in the car, keep a stuffed animal in the car seat; when the child is buckled in, place the stuffed animal in the front with the driver
  • When leaving the car, check to be sure everyone is out of the car; do not overlook any children who have fallen asleep in the car
• Stay cool with cool showers/baths, cool towels, or water activities
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting summer clothing; if going outside, wear sunscreen along with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect the skin and eyes
• Don’t rely on a fan as a primary cooling device; fans only circulate the air and don’t reduce body temperature or prevent heat-related illnesses
• Drink plenty of fluids, regardless of activity levels — don’t wait to hydrate yourself
  • Stay away from very sugary, caffeinated, or alcoholic drinks
  • Keep your pets well hydrated also

Heat-Related Illness

The LHD urges residents to know the signs of heat-related illnesses and the best ways to respond.

If someone is sick and needs medical attention, contact a healthcare provider for advice and shelter in place, if possible. If someone is experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1. Additional information about potential heat-related illnesses can be found below.

• Heat Stroke
  • Signs:
    • Extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees F) taken orally
    • Red, hot, and dry skin with no sweat
    • Rapid, strong pulse
    • Dizziness, confusion, or unconsciousness
  • If heat stroke is suspected, call 9-1-1 or get the person to a hospital immediately. Cool down with whatever methods are available until medical help arrives. Do not give the person anything to drink.
• Heat Cramps
  • Signs:
    • Muscle pains or spasms in the stomach, arms, or legs
• Heat Exhaustion
  • Signs:
    • Heavy sweating
    • Paleness
    • Muscle cramps
    • Tiredness
    • Weakness
    • Fast or weak pulse
    • Dizziness
    • Headache
    • Fainting
    • Nausea
    • Vomiting
• If the signs of heat cramps or heat exhaustion are present, go to a cooler location and cool down by removing excess clothing and taking sips of sports drinks or water. Call a health care provider if symptoms get worse or last more than an hour.

Stay Informed

Residents are urged to remain vigilant and continue checking local news for extreme heat alerts and safety tips, and to learn about any cooling shelters in the area. Residents should also:

• Use a Buddy System: When working in the heat, monitor the condition of co-workers. Heat-induced illness can cause a person to become confused or lose consciousness. If someone is 65 years of age or older, have a friend or relative call to check on them twice a day.

• Monitor Those at High Risk: Although anyone at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others:
  • Infants and young children
  • People 65 years of age or older
  • People who are overweight
  • People who overexert during work or exercise
  • People who are physically ill — especially with heart disease or high blood pressure — or who take certain medications such as those for depression, insomnia, or poor circulation

For more information, visit ready.gov/heat and cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat .

Essex County Cooling Centers Available for Aug. 28 Heat Advisory

Cooling centers across Essex County are open on days that are above 90 degrees.

Locally, the Livingston Public Library, located at 30 Robert H Harp Drive, is open as a cooling center from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays.

Visit NJ Cooling Centers for a list of all cooling centers in Essex County.

For more local news, visit TAPinto.net