Governor Ned Lamont advises Connecticut residents — especially the most vulnerable — to take precautions ahead of extreme temperatures that will remain through Wednesday.
Temperatures during the day will rise into the 90s. The heat index will be between 95 and 100 degrees.
Overnight temperatures are expected to be very uncomfortable, with lows only falling to the 70s.
One way to cool down.
Cooling centers are open throughout Connecticut. Call 211, or click here. 211ct.org.”
Here are the Westport cooling centers:
- Senior Center: Weekdays only, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- MoCa: Weekdays only, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Westport Weston Family YMCA: Weekdays 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Westport Museum for History and Culture: Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Emergency Management director Nick Marsan offers these tips:
Stay cool: Keep your body temperature cool to avoid heat-related illness
- Stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. If you must be outdoors, try to limit your outdoor activity to the morning and evening.
- Find an air-conditioned shelter. Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device.
- Avoid direct sunlight.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
- Take cool showers or baths.
- Pets that cannot be brought indoors should be provided ready access to water and shade to keep them cool.
Stay Hydrated: Because your body loses fluids through sweat, you can become dehydrated during times of extreme heat
- Drink more water than usual.
- Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink more fluids.
- Drink two to four cups of water every hour while working or exercising outside.
- Avoid alcohol or liquids containing high amounts of sugar.
Although anyone can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others:
- Infants and young children are sensitive to the effects of high temperatures and rely on others to regulate their environments and provide adequate liquids.
- People 65 years of age or older may not compensate for heat stress efficiently and are less likely to sense and respond to change in temperature.
- People who are overweight may be prone to heat sickness because of their tendency to retain more body heat.
- People who overexert during work or exercise may become dehydrated and susceptible to heat sickness.
- People who are physically ill, especially those with heart disease or high blood pressure, or who take certain medications, such as for depression, insomnia, or poor circulation, may be affected by extreme heat.