County Issues Heat Warning; Cooling Centers Open in Gloucester Township

Heat warnings are in effect in Camden County for Tuesday and Wednesday, noon-7 p.m. each day, the Camden County Health Department announced.

The temperature is expected to rise to nearly 93 degrees with a heat index of 100 for the rest of the week.

“When the Health Officer issues a Heat Alert, municipalities are notified that it would be appropriate to open municipal cooling centers to the public. Each municipality in Camden County has identified and is responsible for activating its own municipal cooling center,” Camden County Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services, said.  “Please remember to check on elderly relatives and neighbors during the heat emergency, and do not over exert yourself outdoors in the sun.”

Two cooling centers have been set up in Gloucester Township. One is at the municipal building on Chews Landing Road and the other is at the Hider Lane Senior Center between Little Gloucester Road and Chews Landing Road. For operating hours, contact the municipality.

To avoid heat-related illness, the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services recommends the following:

• Avoid, as much as possible, working or playing in the hot sun or other hot areas. If you must be out in the sun, wear a head covering. A wide-brimmed hat or visor will not only protect your head from intense rays of the sun, it will also provide a shield for your eyes.
• Use air-conditioners and fans. Open windows to release trapped hot air.
• Those taking regular medication should consult with their physician. Some medications cause an adverse reaction in hot weather.
• Wear lightweight clothing.
• Drink plenty of non-alcoholic liquids, warm and cool. Because the body loses fluids in the heat, drinking lots of liquids helps to avoid dehydration.
• Maintain a normal diet.
• Shower or bathe in water that is near skin temperature.
• Do not leave older people, children or pets alone in cars.
• The early warning signs of heat stress are decreased energy, slight loss of appetite, faintness, light-headedness and nausea. People experiencing these symptoms should go to a cool environment, drink liquids, remove excess clothing and rest.

“The excessive heat poses a public health risk that can be deadly to residents if they do not take the proper precautions,” Rodriguez said. “At this time we all need to pitch in to make sure no is overexposed to this heat wave. This means, as a community, we need to ensure everyone has access to cool areas and are properly hydrated.”

Serious signs of heat stress include unconsciousness, rapid heartbeat, throbbing headache, dry skin, chest pain, mental confusion, irritability, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle cramps, staggering and difficulty breathing.  People experiencing these symptoms should get to immediate medical attention.  While waiting for help, move the person to a cool area, remove excess clothing, spray with water, and fan the person.  In an emergency, dial 911.