SW Connecticut News

(Norwalk, Conn.) Today, July 18, 2022, Mayor Rilling issued an extreme heat advisory for the City of Norwalk, beginning July 19th through Sunday, July 24th and shared details on cooling centers that will be available throughout the community.  

The  advisory follows Governor Ned Lamont’s announcement advising  Connecticut residents to prepare for extreme heat in the next several  days. The National Weather Service said a heat wave is expected across  Connecticut with temperatures exceeding 90 degrees and humid conditions  this Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and potentially through the  weekend.

“Following Monday’s storm, we are expecting temperatures  above 90 degrees, with humidity that could make it feel like it’s nearly  100 degrees,” said Mayor Harry Rilling. “We want  everyone – particularly those most vulnerable to extreme heat – to take  the proper precautions to stay safe. This includes closely monitoring  children and pets and never leaving them alone in a car where  temperatures can quickly become life-threatening. In addition to staying  hydrated and monitoring those at high-risk of heat-related illness,  Norwalk has several cooling centers available. Residents are welcome to  go to the Main Branch Library, SoNo Branch Library and the Norwalk  Police Department Community Room to stay cool.”

The City encourages residents to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendations to monitor  those at high risk from extreme heat. While anyone can suffer from  heat-related illness at any time, some people are at greater risk than  others:

• Infants and young children;
• People 65 years of age or older;
• People who are overweight;
• People who overexert during work or exercise; and
• People  who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood  pressure, or who take certain medications, such as for depression,  insomnia, or poor circulation.

The following tips from the CDC can help you stay cool during the hot days ahead:

• Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect  away some of the sun’s energy. It is also a good idea to wear hats or to  use an umbrella.
• Drink water. Carry water with  you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid  alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body.
• Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat.
• Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it  during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning  between 4 and 7AM.
• Stay indoors when possible.  If air-conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of  the sunshine. Remember that electric fans do not cool, they simply  circulate the air.
• Be a good neighbor. During heat waves, check in on elderly residents in your neighborhood and those who do not have air conditioning.
• Be mindful. Never leave persons, especially children, and pets in a closed, parked vehicle.
• Don’t get too much sun. Sunburn makes cooling down much more difficult.
• Stay cool. If no air conditioning or fans are in your home, consider visiting with  friends or family that have air-conditioning or one of the City’s  Cooling Centers mentioned below.

Beginning Tuesday,  July 19, anyone in need of a place to get out of the heat can go to one  of the following cooling centers across Norwalk and can also call 2-1-1  to locate their nearest cooling center:

• Norwalk Library- Main Branch (1 Belden Avenue)
  • Monday- Wednesday and Friday-Saturday, 10AM - 5:30 PM
  • Thursday, 10AM–7PM
• South Norwalk Branch (10 Washington Street)
  • Monday, and Wednesday- Saturday: 10AM - 5:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, 11:30 AM – 7PM
• The Norwalk Police Department Community Room (1 Monroe Street)
  1. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week

For more information on how to take proper precautions during extreme heat, please visit https://www.ready.gov/heat.

Original source can be found here.