It's Getting Tougher to Keep Your Cool

As temperatures reach into the upper 90s today, health officials are urging residents to be cautious when outdoors. 

According to a press release from the Attonrey General's office in Trenton, the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, in coordination with the National Weather Service, is monitoring the excessive heat conditions. Forecaats are calling for temperatures and heat indexes in the upper 90s and possibly even 100 degrees or higher, combined with high humidity levels and poor air quality. Children, older adults, people with disabilities and pets are most at risk during excessive temperature conditions—air quality alerts cause additional concerns for individuals with respiratory issues.

"High temperatures, humidity and reduced air quality make outdoor activities and non air-conditioned facilities extremely dangerous and uncomfortable," said Colonel Rick Fuentes, State Police superintendent and director of the Office of Emergency Management. "Be mindful of the threats that heat waves pose such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and sometimes death. These threats can be minimized and eliminated if we practice heat-related precautions and guidelines."

Col. Fuentes suggested the following heat related emergency safety tips:

• Stay indoors in air conditioning as much as possible
• If you do go outside stay in the shade
• If your home is not air conditioned, spend at least two hours daily at an air conditioned mall, library or other public place
• Wear sunscreen outside, along with loose fitting light colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible
• Drink water regularly even if you are not thirsty. Limit alcohol, and sugary drinks which speeds dehydration
• Never leave children or pets alone in the car
• Avoid exertion during the hottest part of the day
• Take a cool shower or bath
• Be a good neighbor, check on the elderly and people with disabilities in your community who may need assistance keeping cool

For more information regarding heat related emergencies, please log on to www.ready.nj.gov, visit the National Weather Service Heat Safety Page (http://www.weather.gov/om/heat/index.shtml), or call 2-1-1. Air quality information can be found at www.airnow.gov.

The county senior centers will be open to the anyone 60 years of age and above needing shelter from the heat, including Warrenbrook Senior Center on Warrenville Road. The center, open Monday through Friday, not only offers a cool respite and a variety of educational, recreational and entertaining activities, including wellness programs and health screenings, but also serves lunch (a one-day advance reservation is needed and a $1.50 donation requested).  Transportation to the center can be arranged, if needed.

The cost of lunch for those under 60 is $5.35. 

For more information, contact the Office on Aging & Disability Services toll free at 1-888-747-1122.

Warren Township Schools announced early closings for Thursday, due to the expected heat. The middle school will release students at 12:45 p.m., followed by a 12:50 p.m. dismissal at Angelo L. Tomaso School.

Central School, Mount Horeb School and Woodland School will dismiss classes at 1:20 p.m.