Excessive Heat Alert Extended in Cherry Hill

Cherry Hill, NJ -- The Excessive Heat Alert in effect for Camden County has been extended through Saturday, county officials announced Friday morning.

The latest weather forecast calls for hot and humid conditions over the next two days with highs around 95 degrees and a peak heat index near 100 degrees.

When the Camden County Health Officer issues a Heat Alert, municipalities are notified that it would be appropriate to open municipal cooling centers to the public.

In Cherry Hill, cooling centers are located at:

• Cherry Hill Public Library, 1100 Kings Highway North, open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 856-667-0300;
• Cherry Hill Community Center, 820 Mercer Street, open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 856-488-7800; and
• Cherry Hill Mall, 2000 Route 38 West Cherry Hill, open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Call 856-662-7441.

Fans are also available to senior citizens, ages 60 years or older, who have an income of less than $25,000 a year. To request a fan or to obtain more information, call the Camden County Division of Senior Services at 856-858-3220.

To avoid heat-related illness, the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services recommends the following:

• Avoid, as much as possible, working or playing in the hot sun or other hot areas. If you must be out in the sun, wear a head covering. A wide-brimmed hat or visor will not only protect your head from intense rays of the sun, it will also provide a shield for your eyes.
• Use air-conditioners and fans. Open windows to release trapped hot air.
• Those taking regular medication should consult with their physician. Some medications cause an adverse reaction in hot weather.
• Wear lightweight clothing.
• Drink plenty of non-alcoholic liquids, warm and cool. Because the body loses fluids in the heat, drinking lots of liquids helps to avoid dehydration.
• Maintain a normal diet.
• Shower or bathe in water that is near skin temperature.
• Do not leave older people, children or pets alone in cars.
• The early warning signs of heat stress are decreased energy, slight loss of appetite, faintness, light-headedness and nausea. People experiencing these symptoms should go to a cool environment, drink liquids, remove excess clothing and rest.

Serious signs of heat stress include unconsciousness, rapid heartbeat, throbbing headache, dry skin, chest pain, mental confusion, irritability, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle cramps, staggering and difficulty breathing.

People experiencing these symptoms should get to immediate medical attention. While waiting for help, move the person to a cool area, remove excess clothing, spray with water, and fan the person. In an emergency, dial 911.