Madison Opens Cooling Centers, Shares Hot Weather Safety Tips

MADISON, NJ — With summer heat arriving, Madison Borough is reminding residents of hot weather safety practices, available cooling centers and the importance of reducing electricity use during peak demand periods.

For residents without air conditioning at home, the borough offers cooling centers that are open during business hours. The locations serve as temporary spots to cool down and do not function as shelters.

Designated locations include the Madison Public Library at 39 Keep St., open Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Madison Civic Center at 28 Walnut St., open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The library is closed Sundays during the summer.

Citing CDC guidance that prevention is the best defense against heat-related illness, the borough advises residents to drink more nonalcoholic fluids regardless of activity level and not to wait until they feel thirsty. Those whose doctors limit fluid intake or who take water pills should ask their physician how much to drink in hot weather.

Other tips include cutting down on exercise — and drinking two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour if exercising — resting often in shady areas, and protecting against sun exposure with a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher. Pet owners are reminded to limit their animals' exercise on hot days, avoid relying on a fan, provide ample shade and water, watch for signs of heatstroke and be aware of hot concrete and asphalt.

The borough, which operates its own electric utility, is also asking residents to voluntarily curtail electricity use during the hottest hours of the summer. Madison pays up to $3 million a year in peak demand energy costs, calculated from consumption during just the five hottest, peak-consumption hours of the year. Voluntary conservation during those hours could save the borough $100,000 or more annually, officials said.

During extreme hot and humid weather, air conditioners put added demand on the system, and residents are asked to shut off nonessential lights and appliances whenever possible.

More information is available at rosenet.org.

Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com