SYRACUSE -- The American Red Cross is opening its downtown Syracuse office as a cooling center for anyone who does not have air conditioning and needs to get out of the heat. The offices are located at 220 Herald Place in Syracuse and will be open from 11am-8pm today through Thursday. ""Heat is going to be an issue for those folks who don't have air conditioning or maybe those who don't have running fans or no real way to move air throughout their home," said Red Cross Disaster Services Assistant Director, Jim Mott. "That can be overwhelming and cause heat emergencies. It can even lead to heat cramps, heat stroke or something more medical and we don't want to see that."
The City of Syracuse is also keeping the Ida Benderson Senior Center on South Salina Street open till 7pm through Thursday. Below are some tips for dealing with the heat and staying healthy from the Red Cross. All City of Syracuse outdoor pools, with the exception of the Burnet Park pool, will have extended hours through Thursday. The Burnet Park pool will not have extended hours due to scheduled aquatics classes at that location. Onondaga Park, Thornden Park, Schiller Park, Kirk Park, McKinley Park and Wilson Park pools will be open until 8 p.m. today through Thursday.
Below are some tips from the Red Cross for staying safe during extended periods of hot weather:
What should I do during a heat wave?
Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio for critical updates from the National Weather Service (NWS).
Never leave children or pets alone in enclosed vehicles.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.
Eat small meals and eat more often.
Avoid extreme temperature changes.
Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays.
Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.
Postpone outdoor games and activities.
Use a buddy system when working in excessive heat.
Take frequent breaks if you must work 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 your animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat.
Recognize and care for heat related emergencies:
Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms that usually occur in the legs or abdomen caused by exposure to high heat and humidity and loss of fluids and electrolytes. Heat cramps are often an early sign that the body is having trouble with the heat.
Heat exhaustion typically involves the loss of body fluids through heavy sweating during strenuous exercise or physical labor in high heat and humidity.
Signs of heat exhaustion include cool, moist, pale or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea; dizziness; weakness; and exhaustion.
Move the person to a cooler place. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths or towels to the skin. Fan the person. If the person is conscious, give small amounts of cool water to drink. Make sure the person drinks slowly. Watch for changes in condition.
If the person refuses water, vomits or begins to lose consciousness, call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number. Heat stroke (also known as sunstroke) is a life-threatening condition in which a person’s temperature control system stops working and the body is unable to cool itself.
Signs of heat stroke include hot, red skin which may be dry or moist; changes in consciousness; vomiting; and high body temperature.
Heat stroke is life-threatening. Call 9-1-or the local emergency number immediately.
Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the person’s body by giving care as you would for heat exhaustion. If needed, continue rapid cooling by applying ice or cold packs wrapped in a cloth to the wrists, ankles, groin, neck and armpits.
