Health Alert: Extreme Heat Advisory in Effect 12 PM Tuesday June 18 through 8 PM Thursday June 20

(Ithaca, N.Y., June 17, 2024) – Tompkins County Whole Health is alerting the community to a Heat Advisory that is in effect for our area, beginning 12:00 PM (NOON) on Tuesday 6/18/2024 through 8:00 PM Thursday 6/20/2024.

Extremely high temperatures coupled with high humidity over multiple days will make this heat wave particularly dangerous. The heat index values, or “real-feel” temperatures, will be in the upper 90s - 105 degrees for several days, with little relief from the overnight temperatures.

Extreme temperatures can be dangerous to everyone’s health. Take the following precautions to beat the heat:

• Never leave children or pets alone in vehicles.
• Drink plenty of water – 2 to 4 glasses per hour, depending on level of activity.
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine and sugary drinks that cause dehydration.
• Limit strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day (between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.)
• Wear loose, lightweight, and light-colored clothing.
• Wear a ventilated hat, such as straw or mesh.
• Prevent sunburn by applying sunscreen if you must be outside (SPF 15 or higher).
• Take a cool shower or go swimming.
• Go to air-conditioned spaces such as the mall, a library, or community center. Find a designated “Cooling Center” near you. A list of cooling centers in Tompkins County is provided below.
• Use caution with electric fans; they create air flow and a sense of comfort, but do not lower body temperature. If indoor temperatures are above 95 degrees, fans may cause your body to gain heat instead of losing it.
• Pay attention to signs of heatstroke or heat exhaustion and seek medical care when needed.

Heatstroke is a serious concern in times of extreme heat, especially for people 60 years of age and older, infants and children up to four years of age, people who are pregnant, people who are overweight, and people who are ill, have chronic medical conditions and/ or on certain medications. People who are unhoused, or who do not have air-conditioning (A/C) units in their home, are also at an elevated risk of heatstroke.

Signs and symptoms of heatstroke include:

• Extremely high body temperature above 103 degrees
• Hot, dry, red skin
• Rapid pulse
• Loss of alertness
• Confusion
• Rapid and shallow breathing and unconsciousness.

Heatstroke is a medical emergency, and you should call 911 immediately to assist those in need.

Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat related illness, including signs and symptoms such as heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea and vomiting, cool clammy skin, fainting.

If you see someone showing these symptoms, move the person to a cool place, loosen their clothes and apply cool, wet cloths to help reduce their body temperature.

TCWH Commissioner Frank Kruppa stated, “Every heat-related illness and death is preventable. You can help prevent heat-related illnesses and deaths by checking on people in your community during periods of extreme heat and, if needed, offering to drive them to an air-conditioned location, such as a local library, the mall, or a community center. A/C is the number one protective factor against heat-related illness and death, according to the CDC.”

If you do not have access to A/C, please seek out a cooling center, or use the following tips for staying cool during a heat wave without air conditioning:

• Stay hydrated - Drink water before you feel thirsty, especially if you're outside or exercising. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can dehydrate you.
• Keep cool - Wet your skin with a spray bottle or damp sponge, take cool showers, or wipe your forehead with a cool cloth. You can also try putting ice cubes in your water bottle.
• Use fans only if indoor air temperatures are lower than 95 degrees - Place box fans or oscillating fans near windows to circulate air and draw in cooler air. You can also try setting ceiling fans to run counterclockwise to create a wind-chill effect.
• Block out the sun - Cover windows that get afternoon sun with a blanket or sheet to keep the heat out.
• Eat light meals - Eating lighter meals can help you feel cooler.

If you need assistance with cooling your home, please visit this website to check your eligibility for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) or call Tompkins County Department of Social Services at: (607) 274-5264.

Tompkins County Cooling Centers

The following locations provide free, public access to air-conditioned spaces. Please call ahead to confirm that they are open.

Please note: Wednesday, June 19th is a holiday. We have confirmed that the locations listed below are open on Wednesday, June 19 (Juneteenth), with the exception of: Lansing Community Library, Ulysses Philomathic Library, Olin and Uris Libraries (Cornell University), and Noyes Community Center (Cornell University).

For additional information on heat safety, please visit the following websites:

• For general information: https://tompkinscountyny.gov/tompkinsready
• Tompkins County Whole Health Preparedness: https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/health/prepare
• National Weather Service heat safety tips: weather.gov/safety
• Red Cross heat safety tips: RedCross.org: How to prepare for emergencies.
• National Weather Service, Tompkins County forecast page: weather.gov/bgm

Tompkins County Whole Health envisions a future where every person in Tompkins County can achieve wellness. Find us online at TompkinsCountyNY.gov/health, and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/TompkinsWholeHealth and on Twitter at @TCWholeHealth. Get Whole Health updates or other county announcements via email or text, sign up here.

Media contact: Shannon Alvord, salvord@tompkins-co.org

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