PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Temperatures through Wednesday are expected to reach highs of over 90 degrees in the Philadelphia area, with near-record heat Tuesday.
The heat is expected to contribute to a high concentration of ozone in what the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection calls the Code Orange range. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency calls Code Orange an unhealthy pollution level for sensitive groups of people.
That is leading the DEP to declare a Code Orange Ozone Air Quality Action Day on Tuesday for Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties. The DEP recommends that young children, older people, and those who battle respiratory issues such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema should limit the amount of time and activity they spend outdoors.
If you see someone in a heat-related emergency, officials urge you to call 911.
Philadelphia had not yet declared an official Heat Health Emergency as of late Monday afternoon. But when the city does, it opens its Heatline for calls with heat-related tips and non-emergency health issues at 215-765-9040. The city also extends the hours of cooling centers when such an emergency is officially declared.
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The city’s pools are not scheduled to open until mid-June. However, the city says more than 90 spraygrounds will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every weekday from now until Labor Day except for days of inclement weather.
Philadelphia’s fountains like the ones in Center City can also provide relief.
“I’m out here today to keep cool, waiting for my daughter to come down,” said Sharmain at a City Hall fountain on Monday. “Tomorrow, I’ll stay in.”
Other tips include using public air-conditioned spaces, like many on the Ben Franklin Parkway.
“Walk around a museum to stay nice and cool,” suggested Kyla Hays.
Health officials also strongly encourage increasing the amount of water you drink, wearing lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothes, and wearing cool showers and baths.
The city asks people not to open fire hydrants, as it can affect water levels for homes and businesses and makes it harder for firefighters to battle fires in extreme heat. They also suggest not to use fans with closed windows, as it can create convection effects that increase heat.
City government urges people who see a homeless person in the heat to call their homeless outreach number at 215-232-1984.
They also ask for people to regularly check in on the health of older people, younger children, and those with diabetes, heart and respiratory diseases.
Tips for keeping pets safe in excessive heat
Veterinary hospital experts also have tips on how pets and their families can avoid a trip to their emergency room.
The first tip is one that Victoria of Manayunk shares, as she has the task of keeping her dog Ghost safe.
“We have air conditioning,” she said. But not everyone has that option available to them at home. Sherry Myer with One Love Vet in Germantown gives other ideas on how to make it easy to keep pets cool.
“You definitely want to keep the fans on and keep them inside,” said Myer.
“Make sure they have water at all times. You can even entice the water by adding ice cubes.”
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She also suggests keeping pets indoors, and when running errands, leaving pets at home.
“Leave them in a cool, shaded safe place outdoors and no excessive exercise,” said Myer. “Physical activity mixed with heat increases the risk of heatstroke or paw pad burns.”
Additionally, having some water available for stray pups may be key to keeping them safe.
“if you do see a stray dog running around, and you have a bottle of water, you can offer them some of your water,” Myer said.
The Philadelphia Animal Care and Control Team says that the city requires all dog owners to have a shaded space large enough to protect it from sun rays at all times, or their dogs could be put in grave danger.
Dog owners who don’t follow this law can be fined up to $500. The city says that people can call 267-385-3800 if they discover dogs left outside in hot weather.
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