Southington Residents Urged to Beat the Heat

As temperatures climb into the mid 90s as part of the first heat wave of the year, Southington officials are urging local residents to stay cool and use local shelters to beat the heat.

Town Manager Garry Brumback said Wednesday morning that the town has established “cooling centers” at the and .

“We have the air conditioning on and have brought plenty of water to each location. Residents should feel free to take advantage of these opportunities to escape the heat,” Brumback said. “The Calendar House will be open until 4:30 p.m. and the library will remain open until 9 p.m. both today and tomorrow.”

The National Weather Service is calling for temperatures to reach 95 today and as high as 97 degrees on Thursday, when overcast skies could give way to the sun’s hot rays.

Robert Verderame, executive director of the Calendar House, said temperatures have been regulated at about 70 degrees and anyone is welcome to come by, use the library center and just stay out of the heat.

He said there haven’t been any requests for assistance as of noon on Wednesday, but anyone who needs help or transportation is welcome to contact the Calendar House.

Southington isn’t the only community opening up centers either. Early Wednesday morning, Gov. Dannel Malloy sent notice to state employees to open “cooling centers” in larger cities to provide assistance as needed.

While the heat continues to climb, however, local residents are refusing to slow down. Seniors participated in exercises at the Calendar House Wednesday morning while others including Plantsville resident Paul Gresh said they have no plans to change their daily routines.

“It’s always hot in the summertime. You just learn to deal with it and find ways to stay cool,” Gresh said. “I’ve traveled to many places and you look at a day like today and think ‘Yeah, it’s hot, but it could be worse’.”

Gresh, whose brother lives in California, said he spent summer days in Palm Desert where temperatures reached 95 degrees before 5 a.m. and would read 120 degrees by noontime.

He has also served in the military and said he was stationed along the equator on Memorial Day in 1953 when temperatures passed 120 degrees by 9 a.m.

“That’s hot. This is nothing,” he said.

The American Red Cross of Connecticut is urging residents to plan ahead, however, and provided the following tips to avoid heat-related health issues:

• 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 or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.
• 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 a.m.
• 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 simply 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.

Visit the Red Cross website for more Heat Safety Tips.