RI Health Urges People to Take Precautions Ahead of Weekend Heat Wave
GoLocalProv News Team
RI Health Urges People to Take Precautions Ahead of Weekend Heat Wave
According to weather reports, temperatures are expected to reach nearly 100 degrees over the weekend.
“Extreme heat can be a serious health concern for anyone. However, extreme heat can be particularly dangerous for younger children, older adults, and people with chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure. With the temperatures that are forecast for the next few days, people should be checking on each other, staying well hydrated, limiting their exposure to the heat, and watching for signs of heat-related illness,” said RIDOH Deputy Director Ana Novais.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTTo protect yourself and your family from heat-related illness, take the following precautions:
- Drink more fluids than usual, and don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink more fluids. Avoid alcohol or liquids that contain high amounts of sugar.
- Check on friends and neighbors, particularly older adults and those who are caring for young children.
- Stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. If you don’t have air conditioning at home, see the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA)’s list of cooling centers.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Add a hat if you must be outside.
- Limit outdoor activities, especially at mid-day. If you exercise outdoors, move your workout to a morning or evening time.
- If you work outside, wear sunscreen, pace your activity, stay hydrated, and check on co-workers.
- Take cool showers or baths to cool down, particularly if you’re unable to be in an air-conditioned location.
- Avoid turning on your oven, if possible. It will make your house hotter.
- Never leave young children or pets in parked cars, even with the windows down.
- If you have special healthcare needs, consider enrolling in the Rhode Island Special Needs Emergency Registry (RISNER). Enrolling in RISNER lets police, fire, and other first responders in your community better prepare for and respond to your needs during an emergency. When enrolling in the registry, a person provides information about their healthcare needs (for example, information about mobility issues, information about a visual or hearing impairment, information about the use of a life support system, such as a respirator). For more information or to enroll, visit health.ri.gov/emregistry or call 211/RI Relay 711.
About heat exhaustion
Heat exhaustion symptoms include heavy sweating; weakness; cold, pale, or clammy skin; a fast or weak pulse; nausea or vomiting; and fainting. Individuals who have symptoms of heat exhaustion should move to a cooler location, lie down, loosen clothing, sip water, and apply cool, wet cloths to help cool the body down. Seek medical attention if vomiting begins, or if symptoms get worse or last longer than one hour.
About heat stroke
Heatstroke symptoms include high body temperature (above 103 degrees F) combined with hot, red, dry, or moist skin; rapid and strong pulse; confusion; and loss of consciousness. Heat stroke is a medical emergency. 911 should be called immediately. Individuals experiencing heat stroke symptoms should also be moved to a cooler environment. Apply cool cloths or place the person into a cool bath to lower body temperature. Fans and ice packs can also be used to cool someone. Ice packs should be placed on the neck, under the armpit, or in the groin area (because these are the areas where large arteries are closest to the surface of the skin).
20 Ways to Beat the Heat in RI - 2019
Visit a Providence Waterpark
Beat the heat by visiting one of the many waterparks around Providence.
Parks and pools officially opened for the season on Monday, July 2.
Get in the water and cool down.
Waterparks include:
- Al Carrington Water Park – at Richardson Park, 64 Richardson Street, Corner of Richardson Street & Prairie Ave)
- Billy Taylor Water Park, 124 Camp Street, off Cypress Street
- Chad Brown Water Park, Chad Brown Street
- Sackett Street Water Park, 110 Sackett Street, across from Sackett Street Recreation Center
- Harriet & Sayles Water Park, 375 Sayles Street, corner of Harriet & Sayles Streets
- General Street Water Park, 11 West Drive, off Admiral Street
- George West Water Park, 1266 Chalkstone Avenue, corner of Chalkstone & Mt Pleasant Avenue
- Fargnoli Water Park, 945 Smith Street, close to Academy Avenue
- Fox Point Water Park – at Cabral Park, 505 Wickenden Street, next to Vartan Gregorian School
- Neutaconkanut Recreation Center Water Park, 675 Plainfield Street, near Killingly Street
- Wallace Street Park, 1 Wallace Street
- Pastore Park, corner of Knight Street and Tell Street
- Joslin Recreation Center, 17 Hyatt Street
Visit The Providence Children's Museum
Never a bad option to pass the time on a day when it is too warm to be outside.
The museum has tons of activities for kids that will keep them busy for hours.
Visit Symposium Books
Visiting a bookstore is a great way to cool off and relax during this heat.
While you are there, pick up some new reading material, or a cool collector's item.
Symposium Books is an independent bookstore that offers unique socks, books, and other special gift ideas.
The store located at 240 Westminster Street in Providence.
Hit the Water With Adventure Watersports
Adventure Watersports in Jamestown offers people the opportunity to jet-ski, kayak or boat.
Enjoy the water on a hot day.
Go Indoor Rock Climbing at Ocean State Rock Climbing
Get some exercise and stay cool at the same time.
Rock climbing is a fun and challenging way to get some exercise without running on treadmills or running outside.
Get a Workout in at Providence Fit Body Boot Camp
Don't let this warm weather keep you from getting in shape.
Head to Providence Fit Body Boot Camp and get in a good workout without having to worry about the heat.
Providence Fit Body Boot Camp writes, "Discover The Providence Fitness Boot Camp That Burns Twice The Fat, Gets You Fit And Challenges Your Body Every Time."
Go to a Providence Escape Room
Can you escape?
Grab a group of friends or family members and head to Escape Rhode Island on Main Street in Providence.
Go Karting at R1 Indoor Karting Entertainment Center
The R1 Indoor Karting Entertainment Center recently opened in Lincoln showcasing fast electric karts with top technology.
The karts can go up to 45MPH but they are “smart” karts, so you work you way up to that speed.
R1 features a “Junior” track for ages 6-15 and an “Adult” track, both with four-speed levels. All karts are electric and powered by green technology.
Play Mini Golf at Monster Mini Golf in Seekonk
Just over the border, Monster Mini Golf is a great way to beat the heat.
"Monster Mini Golf is a stimulating one-of-a-kind mini golf experience! Imagine 18 holes of glow-in-the-dark beaming blacklight mini golf surrounded by custom designed art and creative and animated props. We have combined wit, humor, and relatable pop-culture and history to create walls of artwork belonging to the town and state of the actual location," said the company on their website.
Hang Out at Riff Raff Bookstore and Bar
Grab a drink and a good book at Riff Raff in Providence.
"We specialize in diverse books from independent publishers + great cocktails," says Riff Raff on their Facebook page.
Riff Raff is located at 60 Valley Street in Providence.
Ice Skating at URI's Boss Arena
While it may be super hot out, it is never a bad time to lace up the skates and hit the ice at URI's Boss Arena.
The arena is open year-round and offers tons of events for both kids and adults.
Wine Tasting at Newport Vineyards
Cool down with a nice glass of wine at Newport Vineyards in Middletown.
The winery has plenty of events throughout the summer such as "Taste of New England," "Barrell of Laughs" and much more.
Go Bowling at BreakTime Bowl and Bar
Go bowling at BreakTime Bowl and Bar at Hope Artiste Village.
"BreakTime is a retro 1920's themed duckpin bowling alley. Offering a nice selection of pub food and a fully stocked bar. Fun for all," writes BreakTime Bowl and Bar on their website.
Virtual Reality Arcade at Providence Place
The Providence Place Mall now offers a Virtual Reality Arcade at the Showcase Cinema.
The cinema includes 10 games such as ping-pong, a speed-skating parkour fusion, a lighthearted “Job Simulator,” a supersized fruit ninja and more.
Visit the RISD Museum
The RISD Museum is a great place to visit to escape the heat.
The museum's newest exhibit called "Design the Night" opens on July 19, until then, check out everything else that it has to offer.
Visit the Newport Tennis Hall of Fame
The tournament is going on now, but duck inside into the Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame offers plenty of cool exhibits for everyone to learn about the history of tennis.
Eat Ice Cream at Brickleys
Brickley’s simply has to be one of the best ice cream shops in the state. Why else would anyone wait in the long lines that form on a hot summer afternoon?
This family-owned Mecca to all things creamy, sweet and delicious is a must-stop before the ride back home from the beach. This is old-fashioned ice cream at its best.
Visit the Newport Car Museum
Cool off and check out the many galleries at the Newport Car Museum.
Galleries include the "American Muscle Gallery," the "Ford/Shelby" Gallery, a "Fin Car Callery" and a "Corvette Gallery."
Don't miss out on Hoods Up Weekend on July 14 and 15.
Spend Time at Biomes Marine Biology Center
Check out the cool Marine Biology Center in North Kingstown.
It is a great place for both adults and kids to enjoy.
"The Biomes Center is New England's only private marine education facility and the most hands-on aquarium in the region. We've been providing interactive marine biology programs for schools and families since 1989.
We specialize in teaching children and adults about the marine animals of Narragansett Bay and the Atlantic Ocean," writes Biomes on their website.
Run Early in the Morning
If you are one of those people that needs a good morning run no matter what, then do it early.
Weather.com says "run early in the morning when the sun is at its weakest."
