Fayetteville and Cumberland County make provisions for extreme heat
FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- City and county officials are making provisions for employees and residents to survive this week's extreme heat.
In Fayetteville, city road crews have modified work schedules. Those working on the asphalt and crack-sealing crews are working an hour earlier to get off an hour earlier, from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Parks and Rec Center staff members are also encouraged to remind officials, coaches, and players to pre-hydrate, take frequent water breaks in shaded areas, and utilize misting fans.
Cumberland County's Department of Social Services has opened its lobby area as a cooling station. When the heat index reaches 100, and a heat advisory is in effect, the lobby areas are open from 7:30 a.m-5 p.m.
The building is located at 1225 Ramsey Street.
DSS is also offering new box fans, donated by community groups, to residents whose income falls below 200 percent of the current poverty level, and who have family member under the age of two, over the age of 60, or with a medical condition that may be aggravated by heat.
"I saw it on TV, and I didn't have to wait," said Fayetteville resident, Shirley Hart, who picked up a fan Tuesday. "I walked right in, gave the lady my name, and she called me up for a fan."
If you'd like to donate fans, you may deliver them to the DSS building Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m.- 4 p.m.
DANGEROUS SIGNALS
Dr. Lan Tran-Phu, the medical director at the Cumberland County Department of Public Health, said people should avoid being out in the heat during high noon, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tran-Phu said the elderly, small children, and those with chronic diseases are most susceptible to heat-related illness. Those diseases include mental illness
"The people who are more vulnerable, they can get sick very fast," said Tran-Phu.
Tran-Phu suggests finding alternate locations for exercise, such as a mall, and places to cool off, like DSS. If you have to be under the sun, SPF 15 or higher sunscreen and wide-brim hats are helpful, as well as consuming two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids per hour.
You can cool down kids' skin with a water hose, and you should visit at-risk adults at least twice a day.
Tran-Phu also warns never to remain silent if you see someone leave a child or pet in a hot car.
"We don't know where the owner is," she said. "Call 911 so that rescue can come right away. We can save a life."
