Cooling Centers Open in Salem Due To Heat Advisory

From the City of Salem

In light of a heat advisory issued, the City of Salem has 2 cooling centers:

1.The Senior Center Dining Room, 5 Broad Street, open until 7pm
2.The Salem Public library 370 Essex Street, open until 9pm

Seniors and others who need to be in a cooler environment should visit the centers to prevent the risks associated with heat exhaustion.

During extreme heat, people are susceptible to three heat-related illnesses:

• Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms caused by heavy sweating.
  • Symptoms: Muscular pains and spasms that usually occur in the legs or abdomen.
  • Treatment: Get the person to rest in a comfortable position in a cooler place. Give the person water or fluids with electrolytes help them rehydrate.
• Heat exhaustion typically occurs when people overexert themselves in a warm, humid place, and often affects those doing strenuous work in hot weather. Body fluids are lost through heavy sweating and blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to vital organs to decrease. This results in a form of mild shock.
  • Symptoms: Cool, moist, pale or flushed skin, nausea, dizziness, headache, weakness, and/or exhaustion.
  • Treatment: Get the person to rest in a comfortable position in a cooler place. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. If the person is conscious, give them half a glass of cool water or fluids with electrolytes every 15 minutes, making sure the person drinks slowly. Watch the person carefully for changes in his or her condition and call 9-1-1 if it doesn’t improve.
• Heat stroke is the most serious heat emergency and is life-threatening. Heat stroke develops when systems in the body begin to stop functioning due to extreme heat. Heat stroke may cause brain damage or death if the body is not cooled quickly.
  • Symptoms: Extremely high body temperature, hot and red skin (dry or moist), loss of consciousness, changes in level of responsiveness rapid and weak pulse, rapid and shallow breathing, vomiting, confusion, and/or seizures.
  • Treatment: A person suffering from heat stroke needs immediate assistance. Call 9-1-1 and move the person to a cooler place. Immerse the individual in a cool bath, wrap in cold wet sheets, or cover the person in bags of ice.