Attleboro Fire Department Shares Hot Weather Safety Tips; Cooling Center to Open on Tuesday

ATTLEBORO — With temperatures expected to reach the 90s in the coming days, the Attleboro Fire Department would like to provide residents with hot weather safety tips and announce that a cooling center will be available on Tuesday.

The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Warning for much of southern New England through Tuesday evening.

Temperatures are currently forecast to be in the mid-90s on Monday, high-90s on Tuesday and low-90s on Wednesday and will feel like 100 to 110 degrees with humidity.

Due to the heat warning, the Attleboro Fire Department will open a cooling center on Tuesday, the hottest day of the expected heat wave.

The cooling center will be available at the South Attleboro Fire Station, 1476 West St., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday.

“Our top priority is keeping residents safe, especially during extreme heat,” said Assistant Fire Chief Dennis Perkins. “The cooling center offers a place to escape dangerous temperatures, and we encourage anyone without access to air conditioning to take advantage of it. Please don’t wait until it’s an emergency. Stay cool, stay hydrated and check on your neighbors.”

To prevent illness and injuries, officials recommend the following safety tips from the American Red Cross and National Safety Council:

Heat Safety Tips:

• Hot cars can be deadly. Never leave children or pets in your vehicle. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach over 100 degrees, even on a 70-degree day.
• Drink plenty of fluids, like water, even if you do not feel thirsty, and avoid alcoholic beverages, drinks with caffeine and large amounts of sugar — these actually cause you to lose more body fluid.
• 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.
• If someone doesn’t have air conditioning, they should seek relief from the heat during the warmest part of the day in places like libraries, theaters, malls, etc.
• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays. Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and applying sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher 30 minutes before going out.
• Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day, which is typically around 3 p.m.
• Postpone outdoor games and activities if the temperature is too hot.
• Avoid extreme temperature changes.
• Take frequent breaks if working outdoors.
• Check on animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat. Ensure they have access to plenty of cool water.

Click here to learn to recognize and treat heat illnesses.

Additional Tips for Parents:

• Limit playtime during peak sun exposure times and familiarize yourself with the signs of heat illness.
• Avoid burns. If playground equipment is hot to the touch, it is too hot for your child’s bare skin.

To learn more about summer safety, visit the National Safety Council’s summer safety website here.

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