Dauphin County Commissioners warn residents of dangerously high temperatures and offer at-risk senior citizens free fans and AC units

HARRISBURG, PA (June 29, 2018)–With the weekend weather forecast predicting dangerously high temperatures, Dauphin County Commissioners Jeff Haste, Mike Pries and George P. Hartwick, III and the county’s Area Agency on Aging are warning people, particularly those with asthma, heart or lung diseases and other health concerns, about the heat threat and reaching out to at-risk senior citizens and making fans and air conditioning units available to those who qualify for services.

According to the National Weather Service, temperatures over the next several days will be in the 90s, with a heat index over 100 degrees.

“We are reaching out to senior citizens who have health concerns, live alone or have limited mobility to make sure they are safe and offer assistance,” said Hartwick, who has oversight of the county's Area Agency on Aging. “We’re also making air conditioning units and fans available to adults age 60 and over who qualify for services.”

Residents in need must call the Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging at 717-780-6130 to request a fan or air conditioner or to obtain other assistance, such as transportation to an air-conditioned place.

“Heat-related illness and deaths are entirely preventable,” said Pries, who oversees the county’s Public Safety Department. “Limit outdoor activities during the day and stay hydrated.”

Common symptoms of heat-related illness are a fever, flushed and sweaty skin and extreme thirst.

“We all know how oppressively hot a car can get in this heat,” said Haste. “Never leave children or pets in parked vehicles. The temperature in a car can increase by 20 degrees in just 10 minutes.”

Since 1998, 760 children in the U.S. have died due to pediatric vehicular heatstroke. In 2017, 42 children died of vehicular heatstroke.

For more safety tips, please visit www.Ready.gov.