Delaware County Heat Plan

Delaware County Council wants residents to know that the county’s Heat Plan is in place. Both the Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) and the county Office of Adult and Family Services offer assistance to elderly and vulnerable residents throughout the summer.

“We all love summer, but it’s important for our residents, particularly the elderly, young children and those with health challenges to say cool, stay hydrated and stay informed,” said Delaware County Council Chairman John P. McBlain. “The fact is that heat is dangerous, and it can kill, or cause heat stroke or heat exhaustion.”

Residents are urged to visit the county’s website to read the 2018 Heat Plan and learn about the resources the county provides. Residents should take precautions during heat waves and high humidity, to check in with the elderly and disabled family members and neighbors who are at greater risk for heat-related illnesses.

COSA’s Heat Plan includes a Heat Information Line, extended hours at Senior Centers, and educational information on heat safety tips, dehydration, and safe use of fans. COSA has purchased 250 cooling fans and 100 were donated by PECO, which will be delivered to the county’s eight senior centers for distribution to seniors needing cooling assistance.

“A fan creates air flow which helps the body evaporate sweat and cool down,” said McBlain. “We want to thank PECO for their generous donation of fans to our seniors this season.”

The Delaware County Heat Plan calls for senior centers and adult day care centers to extend their hours, to offer water and non-caffeinated beverages throughout the day, and to reinforce with service-provider drivers to check on consumers. Care managers are asked to identify “at risk” consumers who are homebound, living alone or have a prior history of inadequate cooling in their home.

It is also important to remember the safety of pets during the warmer, more humid months as animals respond differently to heat. “It’s not just the ambient temperature but also the humidity that can affect your pet,” said McBlain. “If the humidity is too high, they are unable to cool themselves, and their temperature will skyrocket to dangerous levels—very quickly. Please also remember to not leave anyone in a car, including your pets and make sure they have plenty of water and shade.”

On any day when temperatures reach 90-degrees, it is especially important for young children and older adults, as well as people who have heart and breathing problems or are on certain medications, to pay close attention to what they are doing and how they feel during hot and humid weather.

People need to drink before they feel thirsty and if someone experiences signs of heat exhaustion, drinking water is not enough to reverse the symptoms. Individuals might need medical help.

COSA’s Heat Information Line at (610) 872-1558 is a recorded 24-hour phone service that runs June 1 through Sept. 30, providing residents with heat advisory updates and information. People who need additional assistance can contact a COSA’s Information and Assistance service at (610) 490-1300. For more information, and to read the county heat plan, visit www.co.delaware.pa.us.

Senior Centers

Chester Senior Center
721 Hayes Street
Chester, PA 19013
610-497-3550
Contact: Jamee Nowell-Smith
Hours: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday

Friendship Circle Senior Center
1515 Lansdowne Avenue
Darby, PA 19023
(610) 237-6222
http://www.scsdelco.org/centers/friendship.shtml

Good Neighbor Senior Center
1085 Hook Road
Sharon Hill, PA 19079
610-586-8170
Hours: Monday through Friday 9:30 am to 3:00 pm.
Evening and weekend programming on occasion, see calendar of events.
http://www.scsdelco.org/centers/neighbor.shtml

Havertown Senior Center
1105 Earlington Road
Havertown, PA 19083
Hours: Mon-Fri: 9:00AM-4:00PM
https://surreyservices.org/locations/havertown

Hometown Senior Center
302 S. Jackson Street
Media, PA 19063
Hours: Mon-Fri: 9:00AM-4:00PM
https://surreyservices.org/locations/media#overview

Schoolhouse Senior Center
600 Swarthmore Avenue
Folsom, PA 19033
Phone: 610-237-8100 ext. 30
Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Evening and weekend programming on occasion, see calendar of events
http://www.scsdelco.org/centers/schoolhouse.shtml

Upper Darby Senior Center
326 Watkins Avenue
Upper Darby, PA 19082
610-734-7652
Contact: Michael Maloney
Hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday to Friday
8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday

Wayne Senior Center
108 Station Road
Wayne, PA 19087
(610) 688-6246
Hours: 4p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
http://wayneseniorcenter.com/

Don’t forget your Pet during a Heat Wave

Pets need extra care during extreme temperatures, as they cannot care for themselves. There are several measures that can be taken to alleviate the repercussions of heat on pets.

Never leave your pet in a parked car. On an 85 F day, the temperature in a car can reach 102F in ten minutes, and will continue to climb.

Watch for humidity. Humidity is very detrimental for pets. Dogs pant in order to release moisture from their lungs which acts as a cooling mechanism (since they don’t sweat). If there is too much moisture in the air, pets are unable to cool themselves properly. Take your dog’s temperature. If it is over 104 F, begin treatment for heat stroke.

Know the symptoms of heat stroke in your pet. Symptoms include heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, excessive thirst, lethargy, profuse salivation, a deep red or purple tongue, lack of coordination, and unconsciousness. To treat heat stroke, move them into a cool, shaded area. Apply ice packs or cold towels to head, neck, and chest and run cool water over them. Let them take small sips of water or eat ice cubes. Take them to the vet immediately.

Limit exercise on hot days: only take your pet in the early morning or evening hours to avoid the midday heat. Avoid asphalt as it can get very hot and burn your animal’s paws.

Give your pets water with ice cubes in it. Eating the ice cubes will help lower their body temperature.”