Mass. Residents Advised To Take Precautions Ahead Of Heat Wave
BOSTON (CBS) - There is a heat advisory in effect for Boston as temperatures could approach or surpass 100 degrees across the Bay State.
The city is making services available to help people keep cool, as two dozen cooling centers are open in neighborhoods across Boston.
City-owned swimming pools will have extended hours until 9 p.m. through Friday.
Also, the city is reaching out to seniors, calling each one to make sure they're okay during the heat wave.
WBZ-TV's Christina Hager reports:
Even as the mercury just begins its ascent, the Emergency Department at Boston Medical Center has seen an uptick in heat-related visits.
"People with chronic disease like asthma, emphysema, heart disease, because of the stress of the heat, it's bringing a flare-up of diseases, particularly asthma," said Emergency Medicine Chief Dr. Johnathan Olshaker.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens visited workers keeping cool at a Lowell butcher shop:
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Dr. Olshaker adds that no matter how healthy you are, you should limit your activity and exposure to extreme temperatures.
Carl shot video from the butcher shop:
Everyone is encouraged to check on elderly neighbors who might be indoors. A window fan can only do so much during a heat wave.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karen Twomey spoke to residents in the North End:
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"Realize that heat illness and heat stroke that can kill you can happen inside, if it's not an air-conditioned space. So, really realize that it's the outside that's the biggest danger, but the inside without proper air conditioning can also be life threatening," said Dr. Olshaker.
