Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Protect Your Health When It's Hot

During summer months, hot weather can be hard to take. High heat can cause health problems, especially for seniors, pregnant woman, infants, and children. You also need to be careful if you:

• Have a chronic medical condition
• Take certain prescription and non-prescription medications (read the labels, and talk to your doctor and pharmacist)
• Are over 50 or under 5
• Are obese
• Have had a previous heat-related illness
• Have been drinking alcohol
• Use IV drugs
• Work in a high heat environment
• Engage in strenuous physical activity

Be a Buddy

Check elderly friends and neighbors, as well as those with medical conditions. During extreme heat conditions, the Philadelphia Health Commissioner declares a heat emergency whenever the temperature and relative humidity index exceeds 105F. For further assistance, call the Heat Emergency Hotline at 215-765-9040.

For more information on staying safe this summer, download the Stay Cool Guide or visit the Extreme Heat page of the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management website.

Employment Opportunities

The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management currently seeks to fill the following positions:

• Training & Exercise Program Manager - Deadline: 5 p.m. July 30, 2010 
• Health & Medical Planning Coordinator - Deadline: 5 p.m. August 13, 2010 
• Energy Assurance Planning Coordinator - Deadline: 5 p.m. August 13, 2010

Click on the links for a detailed job description and application information.

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Keep Food Safe During Power Outages

The following will help minimize the potential for food-borne illnesses due to power outages:

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain cold temperatures. Each time the door is opened, a significant amount of refrigeration is lost.
• Refrigerators will keep food safely cold for about four hours if unopened. A full freezer will hold the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full and the door remains closed.)
• Food may be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is at 40 degrees or below.
• Never taste a food to determine its safety.
• Dry or block ice can be used to keep refrigerators and freezers as cold as possible during prolonged power outages. Fifty pounds of dry ice should maintain an 18-cubic-foot, full freezer for two days.
• If the power has been out for several days, check the temperature of the freezer with an appliance thermometer or food thermometer. If the food still contains ice crystals or is at 40 degrees or below, the food is safe.
• If a thermometer has not been kept in the freezer, check each package of food to determine its safety. If the food still contains ice crystals, the food is safe.
• Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, soft cheeses, milk, eggs, leftovers and deli items after four hours without power.
• When in doubt, throw it out.

For more information on food safety, consumers may contact the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture at 1-866-366-3723.

Rep. Dwight Evans Taking It to the Streets Festival, Saturday, July 17

 
The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management will be there from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. to provide information on how to prepare for any type of emergency, how to develop of Family Emergency Plan, the City's Evacuation Routes and how to receive Emergency Text/Email Alerts.

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Word's of the Week: Conserve Water This Summer

It is important to conserve water during the summer months because there is a greater demand. Follow these easy steps:

• Repair leaky toilets and faucets. Close your taps tightly.
• Install low-flow showerheads. They save thousands of gallons of water every year.
• Save two to four gallons of water by shutting off the faucet while shaving. Save one to two gallons by shutting off the faucet while brushing your teeth.
• Take short showers – a bath uses more water. If you must take baths, fill the tub only half way.
• Make sure your washing machines and dishwashers are full before you run them.

Emergency Drill Planned for Tacony-Palmyra Bridge

On Tuesday, July 13, an anti-terrorism and rescue exercise will take place on the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

The Burlington County Bridge Commission Police Department, the New Jersey State Police as well as the state police's bomb, aviation and marine units, the Burlington County Office of Emergency Management, Burlington County Prosecutor's Office, Palmyra police, and several surrounding fire and emergency medical service units plan to participate.

As a result, the westbound lane of the bridge that leads from Palmyra to Northeast Philadelphia will be closed for about an hour during the exercise.

City of Philadelphia Outlines Heat Emergency Plan

The City of Philadelphia outlined measures to be implemented in response to the current heat wave. Since the start of calendar year 2010, five heat related deaths have been reported in Philadelphia.

The following initiatives will go into effect:

Operation Thirst Quencher:  The Philadelphia Fire Department and Philadelphia Housing Authority have partnered to provide 4,000 bottles of water to all firehouses across the City. Beginning July 8th, the water will be made available to anyone who stops in a firehouse to request a bottle. Residents can dial 3-1-1 to learn about firehouse locations in their communities or click here for a map of firehouse locations.

PCA Senior Centers: The Philadelphia Corporation for Aging’s (PCA) Heatline will be open to serve callers with heat-related questions, including tips for coping with the heat and or to learn about extended hours at senior centers across the City.  The PCA’s Helpline Call Center, open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., is also a resource for additional information.  The phone number for the Heatline and Helpline Call Center is 215-765-9040. Hearing impaired callers can dial 215-765-9041.

Modified Hours at City Facilities: The City of Philadelphia’s Office of Supportive Housing issued a Code Red warning in response to the heat wave and the Department of Recreation’s Senior Centers will extend their hours to 6:00 p.m. until the warning is lifted.

Members of the public are asked to log onto the City of Philadelphia’s Health Department website at www.phila.gov/health or the Office of Emergency Management’s website at www.phila.gov/ready for additional information and tips on staying cool during the heat wave.

Wally Wise Guy's Wise Words of the Week: Stay Cool This Summer

Follow these simple tips to stay safe in the summer heat:

• Stay out of the sun. When in the sun, wear sunscreen (at least SPF 15).
• Avoid working or playing in the hot sun or other hot areas between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• To prevent sunburn, wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothes that cover as much skin as possible.
• Use shades or awnings in your home.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat or visor, or use an umbrella for shade.
• Slow down. Rest in the shade or a cool place every chance you get.
• Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine.
• Maintain a normal diet.
• Use air conditioners and fans. If you use a fan, make sure your windows are open to release trapped hot air.
• Visit a friend with air conditioning or go some place cool like a mall, library, or senior center.
• Take a cool shower or bath.
• Read your medication labels. Some medications can cause an adverse reaction in hot weather. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you need more information.
• Never leave children, pets, or those who require special care in a parked car during periods of intense summer heat.

Find a spray ground. When the heat index is going to be dangerously high, Philadelphia opens spray grounds to offer relief from the heat. Call the Department of Recreation at 215-683-3663 to find your local spray ground.

Excessive Heat

Follow these links for information on how to stay safe in the heat.
 

Ready Philadelphia Stay Cool Guide: How to Protect Your Health When It's Hot

Philadelphia Department of Public Health: Keeping Cool Tips

Don't Forget to Take Care of Your Pets Too

ASPCA: Hot Weather Tips