HEALTH ADVISORY: Heat illness and staying cool

July 21, 2011 Editorial Staff
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The National Weather Service has predicted that the heat indexwill climb into the 100s today through Saturday. Because of this itis important to take precautions. Please read the following:

Heat illness is serious and most people who die from the heat inNYC are exposed in homes without air conditioning. The added stresscaused by heat can aggravate heart or lung disease even withoutsymptoms of heat illness. The best thing you can do to prevent heatillness is get to a cool place. New Yorkers are advised to callyour doctor or go to the emergency room right away if you feelsick. Please remember to check on your neighbors who might needsome extra help during these next few days (especially those whomare older). Also remember to drink a lot of water and leave extrawater out for your pets.

Heat illness symptoms could include:

  • Hot, dry skin or cold, clammy skin
  • Weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
  • Confusion, hallucinations, disorientation

The risk for getting sick during a heat wave is increased forpeople who:

  • Are younger than five or older than 64
  • Have chronic medical or mental health conditions
  • Are overweight
  • Take certain medications which can disrupt the regulation ofbody temperature
  • Are unable to leave their homes or confined to their beds
  • Drink alcohol use drugs

NYC Cooling Centers will be open over the next few days. Thefollowing are a list of some of the centers in and around ourcommunity: For more information call 311 (TTY: 212-504-4115), oruse NYC Office of Emergency Management’s Cooling Center Finder atwww.nyc.gov/oem

  • Bay Ridge Center for Older Adults -411 Ovington Av
  • Bay Ridge Library- 7223 Ridge Blvd
  • Dyker Library -8202 13 Av
  • McKinley Park Library -6802 Fort Hamilton Pkwy
  • CCNS Narrows Senior Center- 1230 63 St
  • Boro Park Senior Center -5602 11 Av
  • New Utrecht Library – 1743 86 St
  • CCNS Narrows at the Lodge Senior Center -7711 18 Av
  • Sunset Park Library- 5108 Fourth Av

If there is a problem please call the Precinct at 718-439-4211.In an emergency DIAL 911.

-The 68th Precinct Community Council

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