Cool air and a good book: Local libraries open this weekend as heat continues into Saturday
A heat advisory continues for Somerset County through 8 p.m. Saturday, according to the National Weather Service in State College, with air temperatures expected to be near 90 and heat index values near 100 degrees.
The county's public libraries will be open on Friday and Saturday for anyone needing a break from the heat this weekend, according to the Somerset County Department of Emergency Services.
Joel Landis, EMA director, Somerset County Department of Emergency Services, said there have been no weather or power-related incidents so far this week, but "continuing to be proactive and not reactive, additional cooling shelters have been made available. These new shelters have weekend hours available."
The agency recommends limiting outdoor activity, drinking more water than normal and using air conditioning or going to air-conditioned spaces.
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"Continue to hydrate, limit exposure outside and check on your neighbors and pets. Watch local news sources and sign up for our mass notification system, called CodeRed, for this evolving weather event," Landis said.
Local library hours
Somerset County Library, 6022 Glades Pike, Suite 120, Somerset. 814-445-5907. Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. No water fountains are available, but there are restrooms and a Friends Cafe with snacks and drinks for purchase.
Mary S. Biesecker Public Library, 230 S Rosina Ave., Somerset. 814-445-4011. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Conemaugh Township Library, 959 South Main St., Hollsopple (in the township's senior center). 814-479-0766. Closed on Friday, open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Restrooms available, but no water fountain.
Meyersdale Public Library, 210 Center St. 814-5634-0512. Open Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Water fountain and restrooms are available.
Windber Public Library, 1909 Graham Ave. 814-467-4950. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Senior Centers are open Friday
Jennifer Clark, administrator of the Area Agency on Aging of Somerset County, said communities in Somerset County can find relief at six of the seven senior centers.
"All of the senior centers are designated cooling centers during normal hours of operation, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday to Friday, unless a county emergency has been declared," she said in an email. "Residents are encouraged to stop in and let the center operator know that they are in need of relief from the heat. If you feel like you are in a life-threatening heat emergency, please call 911."
The participating senior centers are:
Central City 103 Sunshine Ave., Central City814-754-5615
Windber700 Fifth St., Suite #200, Windber814-467-5916
Conemaugh Township959 South Main St., Hollsopple814-479-2216
Confluence700 Reynolds St., Confluence814-395-5117
Meyersdale120 North St., Meyersdale814-634-0713
Somerset1338 S. Edgewood Ave., Somerset814-445-7772
Red Cross recommendations
Heat is more than uncomfortable – it can be deadly, especially for older adults, the very young and those with chronic medical conditions. The American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania recommends three steps to stay safe and cool as temperatures soar – slow down, stay hydrated and spend time indoors, according to a press release.
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To help stay safe, the Red Cross recommends that people take three steps:
Slow down by postponing or limiting outdoor activities, including strenuous exercise. If you must work outdoors, take frequent breaks and avoid the hottest part of the day by scheduling tasks earlier or later. Hot cars can be deadly – never leave children or pets in your vehicle alone.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoiding sugary, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks. Check that animals also have access to plenty of fresh water and shade.
Spend time indoors in an air-conditioned place. If you don’t have air conditioning, go to a public library, shopping mall or a public cooling center. Call 211 or visit pa211.org to find an open location. Check on loved ones and neighbors who may be at risk and do not have air conditioning to make sure they are safe.
Heat illness can be prevented, and the Red Cross recommends learning the warning signs and how to help. Heat cramps are an early sign of trouble and include heavy sweating with muscle pains or spasms. To help, move the person to a cooler place and encourage them to drink water or a sports drink. Get medical help if symptoms last longer than an hour or if the person has heart problems.
Signs of heat distress
The Red Cross says heat exhaustion is a more severe condition signaled by heavy sweating; cool, pale and clammy skin; a fast or weak pulse; nausea or vomiting; muscle cramps; tiredness or weakness; or a headache, dizziness or passing out.
To help, move the person to a cooler place, loosen tight clothing, encourage them to sip water slowly, said the press release. Use wet cloths, misting or fanning to help cool them off. Get medical help right away if symptoms get worse or last longer than an hour, or if they begin vomiting or acting confused.
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Heat stroke is a deadly condition that requires immediate medical help, according to the Red Cross. Symptoms include a high body temperature; hot, red, dry or damp skin; a fast or strong pulse; a headache or dizziness; or nausea, confusion and passing out.
Call 911 right away if you think someone may have heat stroke. After calling 911, move the person to a cool place, and use wet cloths, misting or fanning to help cool them off. Do not give the person anything to drink.
Electric ways to stay cool
The Public Utility Commission (PUC) is urging consumers to explore simple #WaysToStayCool and #WaysToSave and helping to conserve energy and keep summer power bills manageable.
According to a PUC press release, circulating air with a fan can help you feel up to 4 degrees cooler, without needing to lower your thermostat. There are several simple things most consumers can do, at little or no added cost, to increase summer comfort while managing power usage and energy costs:
Fan yourself ― Fans circulate the air, keeping you feeling cooler even at higher temps.
Follow the shade ― Spend time in rooms that do not receive direct sunlight.
Block the heat ― Use window blinds and coverings at the sunniest time of day to reduce heat buildup.
Don’t add extra heat ― Postpone using heat-producing appliances like clothes dryers, dishwashers, and stoves until it is cooler.
Cookout, anyone? ― Consider using outdoor barbecue grills or microwaves instead of stoves or ovens, which can increase indoor heat.
The PUC says every degree you raise your air conditioning thermostat above 72 degrees can save up to 3% on cooling expenses. So check your thermostat, according to the press release. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your cooling bill.
Clean is “Green” ― The PUC says to regularly clean and replace air conditioner filters and ensure air circulation paths are clear.
Power off ― Turn off non-essential appliances and lights to reduce power use and unwanted heat.
Don’t cool unneeded space ― Close off unused rooms and adjust air vents or thermostats to avoid unnecessary cooling expenses.
Keep the heat outside ― Seal cracks to prevent warm air from leaking into your home.
For more energy-saving tips, visit PAPowerSwitch.com and check your utility's website for conservation and efficiency resources.
"Somerset County is resilient when it comes to everything from floods to winter storms so I feel we will again prove that we can overcome this event," EMA director Joel Landis said.
Madolin Edwards has been a journalist at the Daily American for 37 years, covering school boards and borough councils. She was the Home and Family editor for 20 years, and was the primary editor and reporter for a variety of special projects, features and tabs.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Local libraries offer cool air and good books as heat continues this weekend
