Suffolk County Opens Cooling Centers

With the National Weather Service forecasting high temperatures, County Executive Bellone has asked that Suffolk County residents take it easy during the next few days and follow the experts’ advice on how to “Beat the Heat.”  Suffolk County will also open cooling centers for Suffolk County residents beginning July 16^th at 12:00 noon.

The Suffolk County cooling centers will provide a place for individuals to seek a reprieve from the heat during the hours of the forecasted Heat Advisory.  Each cooling center will have a representative from Office of Emergency Management, Suffolk County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and the American Red Cross.  The following cooling centers will be opened by noon on July 16, 2013 and will remain open until 8pm.  They will re-open on Wednesday, July 17, from 9am-8pm.

SCCC – Brentwood Campus – Captree Commons, Crooked Hill Road, Brentwood, NY 

SCCC – Ammerman Campus  – Babylon Student Center, 533 College Road, Selden, NY 

SCCC – Riverhead – Peconic Building, 121 Speonk-Riverhead Road, Riverhead, NY

The County Executive offered the following tips on ways to avoid heat stress during our recent and projected high temperature days:

• Avoid strenuous activity;
• Drink plenty of cool liquids such as water, fruit and vegetable juices, and caffeine free iced tea.  Avoid alcoholic beverages and caffeine;
• Keep rooms well ventilated with air-conditioners and fans;
• Stay out of direct sunlight, both indoors and outdoors basements are a good location they have minimum sunlight and are usually much cooler then the open parts of a house;
• Wear lightweight, light colored, loose fitting clothing;
• Get to know your neighbors, especially the elderly, the very young and those with preexisting medical conditions or special needs.  Check on them during the heat wave and call for help when necessary.  This small yet crucial gesture can help ensure we all have a safe and healthy summer.

Many townships may be opening their cooling centers as well.  Check with your local municipality as to where a cooling center may be located near you.