Today, Mayor Rilling announced that he has activated cooling centers through Thursday, September 7, due to heat index values expected to reach into the 90s each day. The hot temperatures and high humidity can potentially cause heat-related illness, especially among vulnerable populations.
"While we're nearing the end of summer, we are experiencing another blast of higher temperatures and humidity through Thursday where heat indexes will reach into the mid and high-90s," said Mayor Harry Rilling. "I've activated Norwalk's cooling centers through Thursday and want to remind everyone to please stay safe and look after anyone who may be vulnerable to excessive heat. Heat index values of this nature can cause heat-related illnesses among humans and animals, and I urge everyone to take necessary precautions."
Homes without air conditioning can be much hotter than outdoor temperatures. Anyone in need of a place to get out of the heat can go to one of the following cooling centers across Norwalk and can also call 2-1-1 or visit 211ct.org to locate their nearest cooling center:
Norwalk Library- Main Branch (1 Belden Avenue)
Tuesday, 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday & Thursday, 10 AM–8 PM
South Norwalk Branch (10 Washington Street)
Tuesday, 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday – Thursday, 10 AM – 5:30 PM
The Norwalk Police Department Community Room (1 Monroe Street)
Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week
The City of Norwalk encourages residents to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) recommendations to monitor those at high risk from the heat. While anyone can suffer from heat-related illness at any time, the following people are at greater risk than others:
• Infants and young children.
• People 65 years of age or older.
• People who are overweight.
• People who overexert during work or exercise.
• People who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure, or who take certain medications, such as for depression, insomnia, or poor circulation.
The following tips from the CDC can help you stay cool during the hot days ahead:
• Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun's energy. It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella.
• Drink water. Carry water with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body.
• Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat.
• Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4 and 7 AM.
• Stay indoors when possible. If air-conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine. Remember that electric fans do not cool; they circulate the air.
• Be a good neighbor. During heat waves, check in on elderly residents in your neighborhood and those who do not have air conditioning.
• Be mindful. Never leave persons, especially children and pets, in a closed or parked vehicle.
• Don't get too much sun. Sunburn makes cooling down much more difficult.
• Stay cool. If there is no air conditioning or fans in your home, consider visiting with friends or family that have air-conditioning or one of the City's cooling centers mentioned above.
For more information on how to take proper precautions during extreme heat, please visit https://www.ready.gov/heat or visit the City's Summer Safety webpage at https://www.norwalkct.gov/2068/Summer-Safety.
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