Officials Urging People Stay Safe In Hot Weather

By Cleve Bryan, Justin Udo

CLEMENTON, N.J. (CBS) ? Visitors to Clementon Park?s Splash World had 300,000 reasons to feel a little cooler during 90-degree heat Friday, that?s how may gallons are in the wave pool.

?It cools us off. I burned yesterday so I?m here to cool off today,? says Jerry Sidone who brought his daughters Natalie and Julia from Bordentown to Splash World.

Beating the heat isn?t just fun and games says the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Red Cross.

?It is very easy to become heat stressed,? says Judge Renee Cardwell Hughes, CEO of the SEPA Red Cross.

She says everyone needs to be aware of the signs that your body is heading toward heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

?If you become excessively hot, if you have cool damp skin, if you get a headache, if it becomes hard to breathe ? STOP,? says Hughes.

An excessive heat warning is in effect for the greater Philadelphia area on Saturday and Sunday.

Governor Chris Christie?s Office sent out an advisory Friday warning NJ residents to keep a close watch on children, the elderly and disabled.

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is asking people to make sure that air conditioners and fans are working when they visit older friends, relatives and neighbors.

?With seniors, the added precaution is sometimes a senior?s body is not telling them that they are not dealing well with the heat and you really have to look at warning signs,? says Chris Gallagher. ?Some are experiencing medical conditions where we can put them right in touch with a nurse to discuss [it] with to see how they are dealing with the heat and what else they can do, and possibly get some medical attention.?

He is the Director of the helpline at Philadelphia Corporation For Aging, which has a heat helpline to assist the elderly with any questions or concerns they have.

To find a cooling station in New Jersey you can call your local county or the 2-1-1 hotline.

Experts say to keep water available at all times so you don?t get dehydrated and avoid strenuous activities during the middle of the day.

For more tips on how to keep your family safe during excessive heat you can visit the National Weather Service Heat Safety website.

SEE ALSO:
Latest Forecast
Excessive Heat Warning
Beat The Heat Guide
Cooling Centers
Pool Guide

Source: http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2013/07/05/officials-urging-people-stay-safe-in-hot-weather/

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