Cooling Resources Available, Reduce Electric Use
Vermont Business Magazine The National Weather Service is forecasting dangerously hot conditions across the region from Wednesday, July 1, through Friday, July 3. During this time, the City of Burlington is encouraging residents to take precautions and utilize available cooling resources. VEC is asking members to reduce electric use from Wednesday to Friday.
An Extreme Heat Warning is in effect from noon Wednesday to 7:00 p.m. Friday in the Champlain Valley and eastern Windsor county in Vermont. Heat index values – which reflect how hot it feels when humidity is factored in – are expected to reach up to 106 degrees, with the highest heat index values expected daily from 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. from Wednesday through Friday.
The following cooling resources are available in Burlington:
- Fletcher Free Library (all ages)
- Main Location, 235 College Street, 10:00AM-8:00PM Wednesday, 10:00AM-6:00PM Thursday and Friday (closed Saturday in observance of July 4th holiday), Noon-6:00PM Sunday
- New North End Location, 1127 North Avenue, 10:00AM-2:00PM Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 2:00PM-6:00PM Thursday (closed Sunday)
- COTS Daystation (18+ years only), 95 North Avenue, 9:00AM-5:00PM daily
- CVOEO Community Resource Center (all ages), 228 North Winooski Avenue, 10:00AM-4:00PM Wednesday and Thursday (closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
- City Hall Park interactive fountain
- The Waterfront is open for the season, and beach information can be found here. Note that bodies of water are still dangerously cold at this time of year, and time in water should be limited to prevent cold water shock and hypothermia.
Older adults, young children, people who are pregnant, outdoor workers, and those with chronic health conditions, mental health conditions, disabilities, or limited access to cooling are at increased risk of heat-related illness. People experiencing homelessness or living without air conditioning face particularly elevated risks from prolonged heat exposure and dehydration. Certain prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and illicit substances significantly increase vulnerability because they interfere with the body's natural ability to regulate temperature, stay hydrated, and perceive heat distress.
Muscle cramps, heavy sweating, nausea, headache or light-headedness may all indicate a heat-related illness. Most heat-related illnesses can be treated with fluids and by resting in a cooler place. If symptoms persist or get worse, or someone you are with seems confused or loses consciousness, dial 9-1-1 and get immediate medical help. Learn more about symptoms and first aid.
Find more information and resources:
- Translated heat safety videos from the Vermont Language Justice Project, available in Mandarin, French, Arabic, Spanish, Somali, Maay Maay, Ukrainian, Dari, Kirundi, Burmese, Nepali, Pashto, Vietnamese, Swahili, English, and American Sign Language.
- Translated heat safety handouts from the Vermont Department of Health, available in Arabic, Burmese, Mandarin, English, French, Karen, Kirundi, Nepali, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, and Vietnamese.
- Vermont Cooling Sites online map of indoor and outdoor locations where the public can go to cool off. Printable maps and lists of cooling sites are also available.
- Hot Weather Resource Page from the Vermont Department of Health.
VEC Asking Members to Trim Electricity Use Tomorrow, Thursday and Friday
Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) is encouraging members to conserve electricity tomorrow, Thursday and Friday evenings as demand for electricity across New England is expected to spike because of high temperatures.
Specifically, VEC asks members to conserve between 5-10 pm all three evenings.
“When VEC can reduce the cost to buy and transmit electricity during these ‘peak’ periods, it helps control future electricity rates for all co-op members,” said Andrea Cohen, VEC’s Manager of Government Affairs and Member Relations.
Members can help “beat the peak” by:
- Delaying the use of major appliances like dishwashers, washing machines and clothes dryers until the peak period has passed.
- Reducing the use of air conditioning as much as safely possible. (Consider pre-cooling your home)
- Turning off lights and powering down other devices that are not in use.
Members who have electric vehicles can have a large impact by not charging during these hours, too.
About VEC
Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC), established in 1938, is a non-profit, member-owned electric distribution utility that provides safe, affordable, reliable and sustainable electric service to approximately 33,000 members in 75 communities in northern Vermont. Operating with an annualized 100 percent carbon-free power supply, VEC is nationally recognized for innovative and advanced use of technology. VEC is the largest locally owned electric distribution utility in Vermont. www.vermontelectric.coop
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