Westchester County Issues Heat Advisory

With hot and humid weather forecast and temperatures expected to exceed 90 degrees in the county through next week, the Westchester County Health Department issued a heat advisory Friday afternoon.

Health officials recommend residents avoid strenuous activity, drink plenty of non-alcoholic, uncaffeinated beverages and take precautions to prevent heat-related illness.

“Be smart and don’t overdo it in the heat,” said County Executive Robert P. Astorino in the advisory. “Just as you check on elderly neighbors in the winter, look in on seniors during a summer heat wave and follow the health department’s advice to stay cool and stay hydrated.”

SEE: Hazardous Weather Outlook for Westchester Friday

Heat stroke is a serious and life-threatening condition that claims many lives nationwide each year, county health officials said.

Symptoms include hot red, dry skin, shallow breathing, a rapid, weak pulse, and confusion. Anyone suffering from heat stroke needs to receive emergency medical treatment immediately. Call 911 if you suspect heat stroke and immediately cool the overheated person while waiting for emergency help to arrive.

Sherlita Amler, MD, Westchester County commissioner of health, said seniors, the very young and those with high blood pressure, heart disease or lung conditions are especially at risk for heat-related illnesses.

“Heat stroke and dehydration can take you by surprise,” Amler said. “High humidity and some medications can also increase a person’s risk for heat stroke.”

Less dangerous than heat stroke, heat exhaustion still poses concerns.

Seniors, children up to age 4, people who are overweight or who have high blood pressure and those who work in hot environments are most at risk. Signs include headache, nausea or vomiting, dizziness and exhaustion, as well as cool, moist, pale or flushed skin. People suffering from heat exhaustion should be moved out of the sun and have cool, wet cloths applied to their skin.

Here are Health Department recommendations to prevent heat-related illnesses:

• If you plan to exercise or work outdoors during extreme heat, drink lots of water and take frequent breaks.
• Limit any strenuous activity and exercise, especially during the sun's peak hours from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing to reflect heat and sunlight.
• Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, and by using a broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol and sugary drinks. These cause you to lose more body fluid.
• Take a cool shower or bath and reduce or eliminate strenuous activities during the hottest time of day.
• NEVER leave anyone - a person or animal - in a closed, parked vehicle. Temperatures inside a closed vehicle can quickly exceed 140º F, which is life-threatening.
• Check on elderly neighbors to make sure they are safe.
• Bring pets inside and be sure to provide them with plenty of water.
• Stay indoors, ideally in an air-conditioned place.
• If your house or apartment isn't air-conditioned, spend a few hours at a shopping mall, public library, movie theater or supermarket. A few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.
• For addresses and phone numbers of libraries and senior centers, go to the county's webpage on staying safe when temps are sizzling.

For additional relief from the heat, local senior centers, community centers and libraries are often designated as cooling centers when needed. Residents should check with their municipality for the latest availability, hours and locations.

• For Mount Vernon, go to www.cmvny.com
• For New Rochelle, go to www.newrochelleny.com
• For Port Chester, go to www.portchesterny.com
• For Peekskill, go to www.cityofpeekskill.com
• For Rye Town, go to www.townofrye.com
• For Yonkers, go to www.yonkersny.gov/keepcool
• For Ossining Village, go to www.villageofossining.org

Elevated heat and humidity can also lead to unhealthy ozone levels. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation forecasts daily ozone conditions on its website for the New York Metropolitan area, which includes Westchester County. Air quality updates are also provided daily on the New York State Air Quality Hotline at 1-800-535-1345.

Ozone is a gas produced by the action of sunlight on organic air contaminants from automobile exhausts and other sources. Significant exposure to ozone in the air has been linked with adverse health effects. These may include nose and throat irritation, respiratory symptoms and decreases in lung function.

People who experience these symptoms should speak with a healthcare provider. Those who may be especially sensitive to the effects of ozone exposure include the very young, those who exercise outdoors or are involved in strenuous outdoor work and those with pre-existing respiratory problems such as asthma.

When ozone levels are elevated, the Westchester County Department of Health recommends limiting strenuous physical activity outdoors to reduce the risk of adverse effects