No Sweat: Madison Opens Cooling Centers

MADISON, NJ - The weather forecast for the next few days could see temperatures hitting triple digits, but residents don't need to sweat it, because the Borough of Madison has opened up cooling centers to help beat the heat.

Cooling stations for residents in need are at the Madison Public Library, the Civic Center and the Hartley Dodge Memorial Building.

The hours of operation are:

Madison Public Library
39 Keep Street

• Monday - Wednesday: 10 A.M. - 9 P.M.
• Thursday - Friday: 10 A.M. - 6 P.M.
• Saturday: 10 A.M. - 5 P.M.
• Sunday (Summer): Closed

The Madison Civic Center
28 Walnut Street

• Monday - Friday: 8 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.

Hartley Dodge Memorial Building
50 Kings Road

• Monday - Friday: 8 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.

Madison Community House
25 Cook Avenue

• Monday - Friday: 1 P.M. - 5 P.M.
• Saturday & Sunday: 10 A.M. - 4 P.M.

Officials also offered some ways to help beat the heat:

• Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink. Warning: If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask him how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
• Don't drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar as these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.
• Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library. Even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. Call your local health department to see if there are any heat-relief shelters in your area.
• Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing.
• Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle.

Although any one at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. Check regularly on:

• Infants and young children
• People aged 65 or older
• People who have a mental illness
• Those who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure
• Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children, of course, need much more frequent watching.

Outdoor Tips

• Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
• Cut down on exercise. If you must exercise, drink 2 to 4 glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour.
• A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. Warning: If you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage.
• Try to rest often in shady areas.
• Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat (also keeps you cooler) and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say "broad spectrum" or "UVA/UVB protection" on their labels).

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