Electric Fan Giveaway To Help Wilmington Residents Fight The Heat

From the City of Wilmington:

August 11, 2020

Fans will be distributed on Mondays and Thursdays

Some relief from the summer heat is being offered to City residents beginning Thursday when the City will begin to distribute FREE electric fans to residents. Mayor Mike Purzycki and Constituent Services Director Jennifer Prado said the City will give away fans each Monday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to Noon in the lobby of the Redding Government Building at 800 North French Street.

The distribution system is more limited this year due to COVID-19. All residents who come by to pick up a fan MUST practice social distancing and MUST wear a mask. Other guidelines for receiving a fan include:

• Recipients must be City residents and must be 65 years of age or older
• Recipients also must show proof of age and residency and cannot have received a FREE fan in 2019

Residents are advised not to use an electric fan when the temperature outside is higher than 95 degrees because this can increase the risk of heat-related illness. While fans create airflow, they can also provide a false sense of comfort which does not actually reduce body temperature.

Here are some tips for keeping yourself, family, and neighbors safe in extreme heat:

• Make a special effort to check on neighbors, especially if they are seniors, families with young children, people with special needs, or living alone.
• Never leave children, the elderly, or pets unattended in a parked car under ANY circumstances, not even for a few minutes. Brain damage or death can occur from the rapid rise of temperature inside of a vehicle in a matter of minutes.
• Drink plenty of water; 1 to 1-1/2 quarts daily is recommended to prevent dehydration. Fruit juices and juice drinks are also good choices. Avoid alcohol and caffeine since they dehydrate the body.
• Wear loose, lightweight, and light-colored clothing. If you must go outside during the hottest part of the day, wear a hat wide enough to protect your face. While outdoors, rest frequently in a shady area.
• Avoid overexertion and strenuous outdoor activities. Take extra precautions if you must work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening hours and take frequent rest breaks.
• Stay in an air-conditioned environment if possible. Find places in your community where you can get cool, such as libraries, shopping malls, and community centers.
• Know the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heatstroke. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heatstroke is an emergency, so call 9-1-1 immediately.

This press release was produced by the City of Wilmington. The views expressed here are the author’s own.