People should take these steps to deal with the heat safely:
- Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.
- Never leave children or pets alone in enclosed vehicles.
- Eat small meals and eat more often.
- Avoid extreme temperature changes.
- Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
- Use a buddy system when working in excessive heat.
- Take frequent breaks if working outdoors.
- Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat.
- Check on animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat. Ensure they have water and a shady place to rest.
The Darke County Red Cross is again reaching out to their disaster partners to provide some much needed daytime relief to residents unable to manage in the weather with no power. Cooling Centers in Darke County:
- EUM Church on Franklin Street in Union City, OH---Through Monday-8pm
- Tri-Village Rescue, behind the Dollar General, New Madison, OH—Through Wednesday 8am-8pm
- Greenville Library, 520 Sycamore Street, Greenville—Through Tuesday 10 am-8pm
- Worch Library, 790 S Center, Versailles —Through Tuesday 9 am-7 pm
- New Madison Library, 142 S Main, New Madison —Through Tuesday 10-8 pm
- Arcanum Library, 101 North Street, Arcanum—Through Tuesday 9am-7pm
- Greenville YMCA, 301 Wagner Ave, Greenville—Through Tuesday 9am-9pm
- Versailles YMCA, 10242 Versailles-Southeastern Rd, Versailles —Through Tuesday 9am-9pm
- Shawnee Prairie Nature Center, St Rt 502, Greenville —Through Tuesday 9am-5pm
If your home is without power and this is a health issue, you are advised to seek alternative arrangements until the power returns in your home, if staying home overnight creates a serious threat. Local electric companies have placed additional personnel on line work and power is returning street by street.
If your home lost power, here are some tips to help determine, what to keep and what to pitch:
- Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40° F (4° C) for 2 hours or
- more or that has an unusual odor, color or texture. When in doubt, throw it out!
- Never taste food or rely on appearance or odor to determine its safety. Some foods may look and smell fine, but if they have been at room temperature too long, bacteria causing food-borne illnesses can start growing quickly. Some types of bacteria produce toxins that cannot be destroyed by cooking.
- If food in the freezer is colder, freeze it.
- If you are not sure food is cold enough, take its temperature with the food thermometer.
- Throw out any foods (meat, poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers) that have been exposed to temperatures higher than 40° F (4° C) for 2 hours or more, and any food that has an unusual odor, color or texture, or feels warm to touch.
DPL advises residents to treat all fallen wires as if they were live, stay away and contact your power company. Never touch a power line, if in doubt, step away. Limbs, branches and lines are being removed as quickly as possible, but in some areas, this is a large operation. Drive cautiously and watch for obstructions.
The American Red Cross reminds everyone that when the temperature rises above 90-degrees, we are all at risk for heat-related illnesses. Symptoms include nausea, dizziness, flushed or pale skin, heavy sweating and headaches. Young children and the elderly are at the highest risk for heat-related illnesses. Also, remember not only your family, but check on elderly neighbors as well. Keep pets inside or in well shaded areas, with ample water supply. For more information on how to keep your family safe and prepared, contact the Darke County Red Cross at 937-548-1002 or go online to www.redcross.org.
No comments:
Post a Comment