In response to a Heat Health Emergency being declared for the city of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) has activated the “Heatline.” The Heatline is open to anyone in the city and can provide information on precautions to take against the heat and heat-related illness.
The forecast on Weatherboy.com calls for temperatures to rise into the 90’s in Philadelphia this week, but those high temperatures will also be joined by high levels of humidity. The forecast highs for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are 90, 94, 97, and 98 respectively. With high humidity levels, those temperatures will make outdoor conditions feel more than 10 degrees warmer than they are, bringing urban environments like Philadelphia well over 100 degrees with their apparent temperatures.
PCA’s Heatline call center is operated by a team of trained staff who are available to counsel callers about precautions to take against the heat and detecting signs of heat stress. City Health Department nurses will be on-site to speak with any callers about medical problems related to heat. Calls to the Heatline can also be made on a person’s behalf or if there is a heat-related concern about someone in the community. “During a Heat Health Emergency, it is especially important that everyone is vigilant about heat and how it can affect those that are most vulnerable, including children, people with disabilities and older adults. PCA encourages all Philadelphia residents to check up on anyone who may be vulnerable during this heat wave,” PCA wrote in a media released shared with the press today.
The PCA Heatline can be reached at (215) 765-9040; it’ll be open Wednesday, August 11 from noon to midnight, Thursday August 12 from 8:30 am-midnight, and Friday August 13 from 8:30 am – 8 pm. The Heatline is also available for individuals with hearing loss via IP Teletype (ipTTY) by dialing 215-765-9041.
Heat Tips:
Stay cool!
- Avoid direct sunlight
- Stay in air-conditioned buildings
- Wear light, loose-fitting clothing
Stay hydrated!
- Drink plenty of water; do not wait until you’re thirsty
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and sugary drinks
Stay informed!
- Stay updated on local weather
- Know the signs of heat-related illness
Look out for others!
- Check on elderly and homebound neighbors
- Never leave people or pets in a parked car, regardless of time you plan to be away
Seek medical attention if you or someone you know is experiencing severe heat symptoms:
- Heavy sweating
- Headache
- Weakness, fatigue, dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Very high body temperature
- Confusion
- Pounding headache
- Unconsciousness
