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Heat Advisory and Access to Cooling Centers

Posted on: July 21, 2022 - 11:30am

HADLEY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
STATEMENT ON HEAT ADVISORY AND ACCESS TO COOLING CENTERS

With a heat advisory in place today and potentially through the weekend, the Town of Hadley wishes to share resources and tips so that residents can stay safe, healthy, and cool. Due to the heat, the Town of Hadley is using the Hadley Senior Center and the Hadley Public Library as cooling centers. They will remain open to the public today during their normal business hours and can be used for residents as a place to seek relief.

The Hadley Public Library, located at 50 Middle Street has hours of operation as follows:
Monday, and Friday – 2PM-7PM
Tuesday and Thursday-10AM-5PM
Wednesday 2PM-8PM
Saturday 10AM-3PM

The Hadley Senior Center, located at 46 Middle Street has current hours of operation as Monday – Friday 9AM – 4PM

Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Michael Spanknebel would like to remind residents of a few additional locations which are open to the public and offer air conditioning:

“Residents have the option of visiting the Hampshire Mall located at 367 Russell Street during the hours of 11 AM – 7 PM Monday through Saturday and in the event you are unable to find a cooling space and need relief after hours the lobby of the Public Safety Complex, 15 East Street is available from 9pm-6am.”

Here are a few tips for Preventing Heat-Related Illnesses:

  • NEVER leave children, adults, or pets alone in a closed, parked vehicle.
  • KEEP COOL – Spend as much time as you can in cooler surroundings. Use air conditioners to cool the air.
  • SLOW DOWN, avoid strenuous activity. If you are not accustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment, start slowly and pick up the pace gradually. If exertion in the heat makes your heart pound and leaves you gasping for breath, STOP all activity. Get into a cool or shady area, and rest, especially if you become lightheaded, confused, weak, or faint.
  • PROTECT YOURSELF from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going out.
  • Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing that will cover as much skin as possible.
  • Avoid extreme temperature changes.
  • DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS, even if you do not feel thirsty, and avoid alcoholic beverages, drinks with caffeine and large amounts of sugar—these actually cause you to lose more body fluid.
  • Use your stove less and try to cook your meals in the cooler part of the day.
  • KEEP YOUR PETS HYDRATED.
  • Although any one at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. Please check regularly on infants and young children, people aged 65 or older and adults at risk or living alone, people who have a mental illness, those who are physically ill or who have heart disease or high blood pressure.

For more information on Extreme Heat Safety Tip go to the following link;

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/extreme-heat-safety-tips

Remember if you are having a medical emergency call 9-1-1!