No Plans For Cooling Center In Wilmington

WILMINGTON, MA —With a weekend weather forecast calling for dangerous high temperatures, officials in several eastern Massachusetts towns have been setting up cooling centers for people who do not have air conditioning or lose it in a power outage. But not in Wilmington, where officials posted social media messages Friday morning saying the town had no plans "at this time" top open a cooling center. Instead, residents should call public safety with non-emergency concerns at 978-658 or 978-658-5071. In an emergency, call 911.

Related story: Beat The Heat North Of Boston This Weekend

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency has provided the following safety tips

• Never leave children or pets alone in a closed vehicle. Even with the windows cracked open, interior temperatures can rise almost 20°F within 10 minutes.
• Slow down and avoid strenuous activity.
• Drink plenty of fluids — even if you are not thirsty. Avoid alcoholic beverages and liquids high in sugar or caffeine. If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink, ask how much you should drink during hot weather.
• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. Light colors reflect heat and sunlight, and help maintain normal body temperature.
• Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun. Do not leave pets outside for extended periods of time.
• If you must be outdoors, limit your outdoor activity to the morning and evening hours. Try to rest often in shady areas so your body temperature will have a chance to recover. Use sunscreen with a high SPF and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
• If you do not have air conditioning, stay on your lowest floor, out of the sun. Use fans to stay cool and avoid using your stove and oven. Consider spending time in air-conditioned public spaces, such as schools, libraries, theaters, and other community facilities.
• Check with your local authorities or Call 2-1-1 to find locations of cooling centers or shelters near you.
• On hot days, more people cool off around bodies of water. Playing in and around water can increase the risk of drowning. Learn how to keep yourself and your children safe in and around water with these Water Safety Tips.
• If there are power outages during warm weather, you may need to take additional precautions or go to a cooling center or emergency shelter to stay cool.
• Know the symptoms of and watch out for heat-related illnesses. Call 9-1-1 to report emergencies.
• Be a good neighbor. Check on family, friends, and neighbors, especially the elderly, those who live alone, those with medical conditions, those who may need additional assistance, and those who may not have air conditioning