Towns preparing by establishing public cooling centers
The National Weather Service has announced a six- to seven-day heat wave will affect central New Jersey until this weekend.
A combination of heat and humidity is expected to make temperatures feel like more than 100 degrees.
Towns are preparing for the mid-summer heat wave by establishing public cooling centers and warning residents about the health hazards associated with this extreme weather.
Monroe Township officials are warning that during the latter part of the week, the heat wave will continue with an afternoon heat index between 100 and 105 degrees, possibly through Saturday.
Saturday, thunderstorms are expected with strong wind gusts and brief flooding rains accompanying a cold frontal passage, Monroe officials said.
Monroe officials are reminding residents to stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water, to check on neighbors and take special care to keep pets cool and hydrated.
In addition to spending time in public air-conditioned facilities such as libraries and municipal centers, people are advised to stay in the shade whenever possible, use fans at home, wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing and stay hydrated by drinking water and eating more fruits and vegetables.
Anshu Bhalla, a doctor of family and geriatric medicine with Princeton Healthcare System, said a common mistake people make in an effort to stay hydrated on hot days is drinking iced coffees and cold sodas. In fact, caffeinated and alcoholic beverages only accelerate the process of dehydration, she said.
Residents are encouraged to use sunscreen, to minimize strenuous activity outdoors and to avoid extreme temperature changes, such as taking a cold shower immediately after being overheated.
”Any fluctuation in body temperature that happens too quickly can be bad for cells and organs,” Dr. Bhalla said, adding she recommends a cooling-off period after overheating.
As for recognizing the signs of heat exhaustion or a more critical case of heat stroke, Dr. Bhalla said people should look out for muscle cramps, rapid breathing, fast heart rate, skin redness or warmth, headaches, vomiting and diarrhea. Confusion and light-headedness also frequently appear as symptoms of overheating, especially in elderly people, she added.
Dr. Bhalla offered some of her own suggestions for this week’s heat advisory, recommending people avoid being outdoors between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when the heat index tends to be the highest. Ideally, people will stay indoors as much as possible throughout the day, she said.
She added that even when spending time inside, people should try to stay on the lowest level of their homes where it is typically coolest.
Evaporative cooling is another potential solution to overheating, Dr. Bhalla said. Placing a cold pack or cool, wet rag on the forehead while a fan runs nearby can help lower body temperature, she said.
This week’s heat advisory also has sent PSEG into a mode of precaution and preparation.
In a press release issued Monday morning, the utility announced it has extra personnel on duty in case of customer questions or power interruptions due to the extreme heat and humidity. Together with the regional grid operator PJM, the company said it has sufficient supplies to meet increased electricity demands.
To save energy and keep homes cool, PSEG recommended people close blinds facing the sun and put off heat-producing tasks such as laundry until later in the day.