News Flash

August 2, 2022

With another round of heat and humidity forecast for this week and through the weekend, Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo announced the opening of several cooling stations around Town for residents seeking relief from the heat.  

Several facilities have been opened immediately for the comfort and well-being of residents. These facilities will be open today, Tuesday, August 2, through Monday, August 8.

The libraries, the Bendheim Western Greenwich Civic Center, Town Hall and the Greenwich Public Safety Complex are available to any resident who needs a respite from the stagnant weather system that will cause temperatures to rise into the mid-90s with high levels of humidity through the coming weekend. There is a threat of thunderstorms beginning Friday and continuing through Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

All residents, especially persons who are young, elderly, have medical or mental health conditions, use medications that impede body temperature regulation, those who do not have air conditioning, those whose work requires outdoor activities and people who are socially isolated are encouraged to pay special attention to the weather and utilize these Town facilities.

Cooling centers:

Keep children and pets inside, except for brief stays outdoors. Always avoid direct sunlight exposure and give pets plenty of water to drink. Drink plenty of fluids regardless of your activity. Avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol or those with large amounts of sugar and salt. Those who are on a restricted fluid intake should check with their physician. Never leave any person or pet in a parked vehicle even if the windows are open.

TIPS TO STAYING COOL: 

• Slow down and avoid strenuous activity.
• Avoid too much sunshine. Sunburn slows the skin's ability to cool itself. The sun will also heat the inner core of your body, resulting in dehydration.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothes that cover as much skin as possible to prevent sunburn.
• Take frequent breaks if you must work outdoors and use a buddy system when working in extreme heat. Exposure to heat can cloud judgment. If you work alone, you may not notice.
• Avoid extreme temperature changes. A cool shower immediately after coming in from hot temperatures can result in hypothermia, particularly for elderly and very young people. Give your body a chance to adjust to extreme temperature changes.

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For media inquiries, contact Barbara Heins, Executive Assistant to the First Selectman, at barbara.heins@greenwichct.org.