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Extreme Heat Forecast For Later This Week NJOEM Shares Tips For Older Adults And People With DisabilitiesWest Trenton, NJ - The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, in coordination with the National Weather Service, will be monitoring excessive heat throughout the week. Temperatures and heat indexes are estimated to build into the upper 90’s, and possibly even reach 100 degrees or higher by Friday and into the weekend. Older adults and people with disabilities are especially at risk during excessive temperatures. “Our elderly and disabled neighbors, relatives and friends are more prone to heat stress than younger or able-bodied persons,” said Colonel Rick Fuentes, State Police Superintendent and Director of the NJ Office of Emergency Management. “Their risk can be minimized if we practice heat-related precautions and guidelines. Check on those you know, who may need assistance keeping cool, especially if they live alone.” According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, older adults and people with disabilities are more at risk for heat because they do not adjust as well as young people to sudden changes in temperature; they are more likely to have a chronic medical condition that changes normal body responses to heat; and they are more likely to take prescription medicines that impair the body’s ability to regulate its temperature or that inhibit perspiration. The CDC also offers the following tips for older adults, persons with disabilities and/or their caregivers:
Everyone, regardless of age or disability status, should follow these heat-related emergency safety tips:
Additionally, residents should contact their local and/or county offices of emergency management regarding any open cooling stations. Heat is often referred to as the “silent killer,” in contrast to tornados, hurricanes and other natural hazards with more dramatic visual effects. For more information regarding heat related emergencies and a list of the County Emergency Management Offices, please log on to www.ready.nj.gov, or visit the National Weather Service Heat Safety Page (http://www.weather.gov/om/heat/index.shtml). The US Center for Disease Control Heat Safety Page (http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/) contains information about the signs and symptoms of heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Call 2-1-1, New Jersey’s toll-free, confidential help line, for information about heat safety resources.
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