COOLING CENTERS OPEN AT GC LOCATIONS
Gloucester County Cooling Centers are open for seniors and other residents that may not have air conditioning in their homes. Prolonged heat and humidity could present a serious health hazard, especially for young children, the elderly and persons taking certain medications. The Gloucester County Department of Health has information on its website about how to avoid health complications from excessive heat and that cooling centers are designated throughout the county for those in need of relief from the heat.
Freeholder Robert Damminger said, “Senior citizens are vulnerable to heat and we have several locations throughout the county they can go to stay cool. We recommend that they stay in a cool, air-conditioned place during this excessive heat during the daytime like the mall, library or community center. We realize many seniors live on a fixed income, but they should use their air conditioning or get a fan to circulate the air in their homes when it is extremely hot. If the weather gets too hot, seniors can always go to one of the county’s designated air-conditioned cooling centers which include the six nutrition sites, the county libraries and the Shady Lane Nursing Home.”
Residents who do not have air conditioning in their home should take advantage of any air-conditioned shelters such as the County’s Libraries, movies, malls, or other publicly accessible buildings during the hottest hours of the day. To avoid health complications from excessive heat: Drink plenty of water or other non-alcoholic beverages; Make sure children and the elderly are drinking water, and ensure that persons with mobility problems have adequate fluids in easy reach; If you do not have air conditioning, spend time in air-conditioned places such as libraries, movies, malls or other public buildings during the hottest hours of the day; Wear loose and light-colored clothing. Wear a hat when outdoors; Reduce physical activity or reschedule it for cooler times of the day; Don’t leave children, a frail, elderly or disabled person, or pets in an enclosed car — not even for a minute — as temperatures can quickly climb to dangerous levels; Talk to your health care provider about any medicine or drugs you are taking. Certain medications — such as tranquilizers and drugs used to treat Parkinson’s disease — can increase the risk of heat-related illness.
Gloucester County seniors may seek shelter from the heat at any of the county’s six nutrition sites, counties libraries or Shady Lane Nursing Home. If any Gloucester County senior has questions please contact (856) 218-4101. Cooling Centers include: Gloucester County Nutrition Site Locations: Mantua Township Community Center; Glassboro Senior Center; Thorofare Fire Hall; Pfeiffer Community Center in Williamstown; Franklin Community Center; Second Baptist Church in Paulsboro and Shady Lane Nursing Home, Clarksboro.
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