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Westchester County Health Department issues Heat Advisory

Posted on: October 1, 2017 - 1:39pm

The Village of Ossining’s Joseph G. Caputo Community Center, 95 Broadway will serve as the cooling center for residents in the Village of Ossining.  The Community Center is opened till 10 PM if you have any questions please call (914) 941-3189.

With hot and humid weather forecast for this week, the Westchester County Health Department is issuing a heat advisory. As the temperature rises, residents are advised to avoid strenuous activity, drink plenty of non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated fluids, and take precautions against suffering heat-related illness. 

The Health Department recommends the following preventive measures against heat-related illnesses:

  • Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink. If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour. Do not drink liquids that contain caffeine, alcohol or large amounts of sugar - these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps. Stay indoors, ideally, in an air-conditioned place. If your house or apartment isn't air-conditioned, try spending a few hours at the shopping mall, public library or even the grocery store. A few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.Take a cool shower or bath and reduce or eliminate strenuous activities during the hottest time of day.
  • Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing to reflect heat and sunlight.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.
  • NEVER leave anyone - a person or animal - in a closed, parked vehicle. This is life threatening. Neighbors should check on elderly residents to make sure they are safe. Bring pets inside and be sure to provide them with plenty of water.
  • 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.