Hingham Fire Department Shares Cooling Center Information and Hot Weather Safety Tips Amid Heat Advisory

July 27, 2023 Submitted by the Town of Hingham

Emergency Management Director/Fire Chief Steve Murphy would like to remind residents of cooling center information and hot weather safety tips ahead of another stretch of hot weather.

A Heat Advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. Thursday, July 27, to 8 p.m. Friday, July 28, for much of the South Coast area, including Hingham. Temperature highs will range between 90-95°F on both days, with high humidity.
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Residents can seek relief from the heat at the following Town facilities:

• Hingham Public Library, at 66 Leavitt Street, with operating hours Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The library is also open on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Hingham Senior Center, at 224 Central Street, with operating hours Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Limited transportation to the Senior Center may be available for home bound senior residents who wish to cool off during the Senior Center’s regular business hours. Call 781-741-1458 to arrange transportation.
• South Shore Country Club’s Bowling Alley, at 274 South Street, open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Bowling Alley is also open on Saturday and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To prevent illness and injuries, the Hingham Fire Department recommends the following safety tips from the American Red Cross and National Safety Council:

Heat Safety Tips

• Drink plenty of fluids, like water, even if you do not feel thirsty, and avoid alcoholic beverages, drinks with caffeine and large amounts of sugar — these actually cause you to lose more body fluid.
• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays. Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going out.
• If you’re outside, find shade and minimize direct exposure to the sun.
• Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day, which is typically around 3 p.m.
• Avoid extreme temperature changes.
• Take frequent breaks if working outdoors.
• Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat.
• If someone doesn’t have air conditioning, they should seek relief from the heat during the warmest part of the day in places like libraries, theaters, malls, etc.
• Hot cars can be deadly. Never leave children or pets in your vehicle. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach over 100 degrees, even on a 70-degree day.
• Check on animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat. Make sure they have plenty of cool water.
• Watch for heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Additional Tips for Parents:

• Limit playtime at peak sun exposure time and familiarize yourself with the signs of heat illnesses.
• Avoid burns. If playground equipment is hot to the touch, it is too hot for your child’s bare skin.

Recognizing Heat Illnesses:

Heat Cramps

• Look for: heavy sweating during intense exercise; muscle pain or spasms
  If you have heat cramps:
  • Stop physical activity and move to a cool place
  • Drink water or a sports drink
  • Wait for cramps to go away before you do any more physical activity
  • Get medical help if cramps last longer than 1 hour, you’re on a low-sodium diet or if you have heart problems

Heat Exhaustion

• Look for: heavy sweating; cold, pale, and clammy skin; fast, weak pulse; nausea or vomiting; muscle cramps; tiredness or weakness; dizziness; headache; fainting
• If you expect heat exhaustion:
  • Move to a cool place
  • Loosen your clothes
  • Put cool, wet cloths on your body or take a cool bath
  • Sip water
  • Get medical help if you are throwing up, your symptoms get worse or symptoms last longer than one hour

Heat Stroke

• Look for: high body temperature (103°F or higher); hot, red, dry, or damp skin; fast, strong pulse; headache; dizziness; nausea; confusion; passing out
• If you suspect someone is suffering from heat stroke:
  • Call 911 right away – heat stroke is a medical emergency
  • Move the person to a cooler place
  • Help lower the person’s temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath
  • Do not give the person anything to drink

Learn more about heat illnesses here.