Office Of The Mayor
Thomas M. McMahon
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
For More Information:
Office of the Mayor 610-655-6234
Heat Advisory
The City of Reading has issued a heat advisory beginning
Monday, July 17, 2006. The National Weather Service has
issued a heat wave advisory for the Northeast. Temperatures
are climbing to dangerous levels with no end in sight.
The heat and humid conditions can cause heat cramps,
heat exhaustion and even heat stroke. This kind of weather
is dangerous to the elderly, children, and those with
diseases that prevent them from regulating heat well.
People with cardiac, respiratory, diabetic, asthmatic
and seizure problems should be warned to use extreme care
when exposed to this type of hot weather. These persons
should remain indoors in air conditioning or move to other
air conditioned centers. If no air conditioning is available,
windows should be kept open with air circulating by fans,
if possible. Even those who don’t have medical conditions
can easily be affected by this heat and humidity. Dr.
Jeffrey L. Hassel, the City’s Health Officer advises
that one take these simple precautions:
1) Elderly person and children as well as those with
medical problems should remain indoors or move to cooler
areas
2) Wear light, loose-fitting clothing
3) Drink plenty of water or special electrolyte replacing
fluids found in various sports drinks, .but consult your
physician if you have cardiac or kidney problems.
4) Avoid alcoholic and caffeinated beverages which will
dehydrate you.
5) Avoid strenuous physical activity while outdoors, if
possible.
6) Never leave anyone or any pet in a car in this weather.
7) Ozone levels are extremely high which heightens lung
disease problems.
Symptoms of dehydration and heat cramps include dizziness,
fatigue, faintness, headaches and increased thirst. If
this occurs, the person should be moved to a cooler environment
immediately and be given replacement fluids by mouth.
If the person does not respond or is unconscious, they
could be having a heat stroke. This is a true medical
emergency and reason to call 911.
Elderly high rises throughout the City of Reading have
air conditioned common rooms and residents of those facilities
are urged to use them. Friends, relatives and neighbors
are urged to check on their loved ones. The Berks County
Office of the Aging is available for senior citizens assistance
at 610-478-6500.
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