Instant release
BROOKLINE- Residents are urged to take security precautions and find resources in their neighborhood ahead of any heat emergencies that may be expected over the next few days.
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures in the area are expected to reach 90 degrees or higher every day and heat indexes of 95 to 100 degrees on Tuesday through Friday.
TheTown Brookline will have cooling stations open in the Community Room, located on the first floor of the PublicSafety building at 350 Washington St.. These stations will be available 24 hours a day and at Brookline Senior Center, at 93 Winchester St., weekdays, from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Brookline has cooling centers that allow masks to be worn in public spaces.
Brookline residents also have access to the swimming pool and town libraries. Click on this link to view library hours and areas. Click on this link to see hours of operation at Evelyn Kirrane Aquatics Center.
Brookline residents have access to water play areas in parks and playgrounds throughout the day.
TheBrookline Housing Authority offers air-conditioned neighborhoods spaces for homeowners at 61 Park St. and 90 Longwood Ave., 50 Pleasant St. and 190 HarvardSt. Colonel Floyd. They are located at 28 Foster St.
TheTown Brookline recommends that homeowners be able to turn on their conditioners when temperatures exceed 90 degrees. Eversource offers discount rates for certifying homeowners if you’re worried about your ability to run your air conditioner. Click this link to find out more.
“The heat we will feel in the coming days can be dangerous for those who have pre-existing conditions, or are unable to access air conditioning,” said Director of Public Health & & Human Services SigalleReiss. “We encourage Brookline residents to take care of their family and neighbors at risk.”
Brookline Emergency Management recommends the following security tips from the American Red Cross (and the National Safety Council) to avoid injury and illness.
HeatSafety Tips –
- Drink plenty of fluids, including water, even when you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and large amounts of sugar as these can cause you to lose more fluid.
- Wear loose fitting, light-weight, and light-colored clothes. Avoid wearing dark colors as they absorb the sun’s rays. Sunblock of at least 15 SPF is recommended for protection against the sun.
- Shade is important when you are outdoors.
- Keep your pace slow, stay inside, and avoid a hard workout during the most popular hour of the day, which is usually around 3 p.m.
- Avoid severe temperature level modifications.
- Take regular breaks if working outdoors.
- You should check on your household, friends, and neighbors next door who don’t have cooling, spend a lot of time alone, or are most susceptible to being affected by the heat.
- If someone does not have cooling they should look for solutions for heat during the hottest parts of the day in places like libraries, theaters and shopping centers.
- Hot cars can cause serious injury. Children and animals should never be left in a lorry. Even on a 70-degree day, the inside temperature of cars and trucks can quickly reach 100 degrees.
- To ensure that animals aren’t suffering from heat stroke, it is important to check on them regularly. You should ensure that they are getting plenty of cool water.
Additional Tips for Parents:
- Limit your exposure to the sun during peak hours and learn about heat health issues.
- Avoid burns. Avoid getting your child burned by hot play area devices.
RecognizingHeat Illnesses:
HeatCramps
- You should look out for heavy sweating during extreme exercise; muscle discomfort or convulsions
- Heat cramps can be caused by:
- Relocate to a cooler location and stop exercising
- Get water or a sports drink
- Before you start to exercise, wait for the cramps to go away.
- If cramps persist for more than an hour, if you are on a low-sodium diet or have heart problems, seek medical attention.
HeatExhaustion
- You should look out for: heavy sweating, cold, pale and clammy skin, queasiness, throwing up, muscle cramps, exhaustion or weak points; lightheadedness, headache; passing out
- You should be prepared for heat fatigue
- Move to a cool place
- Reduce the size of your clothes
- Cool, damp fabrics can be applied to your body or you can take a refreshing bath.
- Drink water
- If you’re tossing up or if your signs persist for more than an hour, get medical attention
HeatStroke
- High body temperature (103 degrees F or more); hot, red or dry skin; rapidly, strong pulse; headaches; lightheadedness; queasiness or confusion; losing consciousness
- You should be prepared for a heatstroke
- Heat stroke is an emergency situation that requires immediate attention. Call 911 immediately
- Transfer the person to a cooler place
- Cool fabrics and a cool bath can help lower your body’s temperature
- Offer nothing to the person to eat
