Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott is urging Vermonters to stay cool and safe ahead of multiple 90-degree days. Forecasters say heat indices into the 100s are likely, with the heat wave beginning on Saturday and continuing into Independence Day. Meanwhile, Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger has set up "cooling stations" at various locations in the city (see below).
“This heat will present a number of health hazards, and the number of days it’s expected to last is even more concerning,” Scott said. “It’s important to take steps to keep yourself, your family, your pets and your neighbors safe. I ask all Vermonters to take extra caution with children and pets who cannot care for themselves, and to check on the elderly and those who may otherwise need special assistance to make sure they are okay.”
The Vermont Department of Health and Department of Public Safety are working to keep the public informed of risks and safety tips. You can learn more about symptoms and treatment at www.healthvermont.gov/climate/heat.
Sunburn, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are dangers during extended periods of extreme heat. Muscle cramps, heavy sweating, nausea, headache or light-headedness are signs of heat illnesses. Most can be treated by drinking water and resting in a cool place. Call 9-1-1 if symptoms get worse, someone becomes confused or loses consciousness.
Never leave anyone, including children, older adults, those with special needs, or pets in a car.A parked car, even with the windows cracked, can become dangerously hot, even fatal, in a short time in this type of weather.
Other tips to stay cool and stay safe:
- Drink more water than usual, even if you are not thirsty.Avoid alcoholic or caffeinated beverages.
- Stick to cool places like basements or air-conditioned rooms.Find an air-conditioned public place like a shopping mall or library if you do not have A/C or a basement.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
- Periodically go for a swim, play under a sprinkler, or take a cool shower.
- Reduce outdoor work and exercise, and limit it to the cooler parts of the day.
- Ask for help if you feel sick.
- Stop what you are doing if you feel faint or weak.
- Be more cautious if you have a chronic health condition.
Stay abreast of the weather throughout the weekend and into next week. For weather advisories, watches, and warnings directly to your email or cell phone, register for a free VT-Alert account at www.vtalert.gov.
Local forecasts from the National Weather Service are found at:
www.weather.gov/aly (forecast office for Bennington and Windham counties)
www.weather.gov/btv (forecast office for the rest of Vermont)
City of Burlington to Open Three Cooling Stations during Peak of Heat Wave
Due to extreme high temperatures approaching 100 degrees expected this coming Sunday, July 1 and Monday, July 2, the City is organizing and operating three public cooling spaces throughout the City to ensure access to air conditioning for anyone who needs it during the peak hours of heat.
The following buildings will be open to the public:
Fletcher Free Library Sunday: 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
235 College Street Monday: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
The Miller Center Community Room Sunday: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
130 Gosse Ct Monday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
The Burlington Police Department Sunday: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Community Room Monday: 7:00 am – 4:00 pm
Please note that any children must be accompanied by an adult.
Extreme heat can cause heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and dehydration. All residents are encouraged to take extra precautions to stay safe, including staying hydrated and staying indoors in air conditioning during the hottest parts of the day.
Additionally, checking in on neighbors and those particularly vulnerable to the heat, including seniors and those with medical conditions, and offering help with transportation to cooling stations if needed, can help ensure that everyone in our community stays safe during this extreme weather.
Health and Safety Tips:
- Stay out of the sun, especially during the hottest parts of the day (11:00 am – 3:00 pm)
- Wear light clothing
- Drink plenty of water
- Avoid strenuous exercise
- Use sunscreen of SPF 15 or above
- Never leave your children or pets in the car
The Burlington Electric Department today issued a peak day alert for Monday as part of its Defeat the Peak program launched last summer (view news release here), encouraging members of the Burlington community to reduce their energy usage on Monday from 4:00-7:00pm. Burlingtonians can lend a hand by taking the following steps on what is projected to be an unusually hot fall day:
- Raise thermostat temperatures or turn off air conditioners after returning home from work and wait until after 7:00pm to return air conditioners to previous settings;
- Wait until after 7:00pm or later to use washing machines, clothing dryers, dishwashers, and other appliances;
- Turn off non-essential lights until 7:00pm and later; and
- Delay other discretionary electric consumption until after 7:00pm.
BED: Reduce Energy Use
Leading by example, Burlington Electric will be reducing its energy usage on Monday by turning off all non-essential lights and adjusting its air conditioning usage by raising the thermostat to 75 degrees at its Pine Street facility from 4:00-7:00pm.
“We’re excited about our ‘Triple Bottom Line’ approach to defeating the peak here in Burlington,” stated Neale Lunderville, Burlington Electric Department General Manger. “What a terrific win-win-win when our community comes together to keep costs low, protect the environment, and provide immediate support to impactful community nonprofits. Defeat the Peak serves as another part our plan to make Burlington a net zero energy city.”
Two more traditional incentives for Burlingtonians who take peak day actions include: potential reductions in utility costs that help keep electric rates low and stable; and environmental benefits that come with reduced energy demand on the regional electric grid, which decreases the need for use of polluting oil and natural gas generators around New England. A more unique and innovative incentive introduced last year by Burlington Electric based on customer input is a community reward opportunity through which a local nonprofit – in this case the Vermont Family Network – will benefit from a $1,000 contribution from Burlington Electric if our customers hit the targeted amount of load reduction on a peak day.
Pam McCarthy, President and CEO of the Vermont Family Network, said: “Our team at the Vermont Family Network will be cheering on the Burlington community to defeat the peak on Monday. Achieving this goal would have a meaningful impact on our efforts to provide support, information, and connection for all families of children with disabilities and special health needs.”
Burlington Electric today will notify customers by email blast about Monday’s peak day alert. Customers can sign up for these email notifications, view a video explaining Defeat the Peak, and learn more about the program by visiting www.burlingtonelectric.com/
Sources: Governor. Mayor. BED 6.29.2018