[Archived] City of Alexandria Takes Steps to Ensure Safety of Citizens and Employees During Hot Weathe

City Press Release


	City of Alexandria, Virginia Office of the City Manager Alexandria City Hall 301 King Street, Suite 3500 Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3211 www.alexandriava.gov Telephone: 703.838.4300 Fax : 703.838.6343

City of Alexandria Takes Steps to Ensure
Safety of Citizens and Employees During Hot Weather

As we enter what is typically the hottest month for our region, the City of Alexandria is taking steps to ensure the safety of citizens and employees, particularly children and the elderly.

Alexandria’s senior centers and recreation centers, all air conditioned, are open for daytime activities. The senior centers available for persons aged 60 and over are the Charles Houston Senior Center, 901 Wythe St., 703.838.4832 and the Saint Martin de Porres Senior Center at 4650 Taney Ave., 703.751.2766. Door to door bus transportation is available by calling the nearest center for pickup.

David’s Place, a day shelter for homeless people, is open every day from 8 am to 4 pm, closed between 11 am and 12 noon. It is operated by and located at Carpenter’s Shelter, 930 N. Henry St. It is open to anyone who needs to get out of the heat. For details, call 703.548.7500.

Pools are also a good way to cool off during hot summer days. Alexandria operates two large pools, Old Town Pool, located at 1609 Cameron St., 703.838.4671, open Monday through Friday from 12 noon to 7 pm; and Warwick Pool, located at 3301 Landover St., 703.838.4672, and open Monday through Friday 12 noon to 7 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm. Admission is free for children ages 1 - 3 and for children 4 - 6 when accompanied by a paying adult. Admission for children ages 7 - 17 is $1, $2 for adults ages 18 - 59, and $1 for people over age 60. The cost for non-residents is $3 when accompanied by an Alexandria resident.

The City also operates four mini pools (3 - 5 ft. deep) for Alexandria residents 13 years or younger that are free. These include Nannie J. Lee Pool, 1108 Jefferson St., N. Colasanto Pool, 2704 Mt. Vernon Ave., Charles Houston Pool, 901 Wythe St., and John Ewald Pool, 4500 Duke St. For more information, contact the Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, 703.838.4843.

The City encourages residents to use caution during the extreme heat. Public places for citizens to “cool off” include Alexandria City libraries and the Landmark Shopping Center. Children, the elderly and people with chronic ailments are usually the first to suffer from the heat. Heat exhaustion, cramps, or in extreme cases heat stroke can result from prolonged exposure to these conditions. Friends, relatives, or neighbors should check on people who may be at risk.

Persons aged 60 and over who do not have other sources of cooling can request free fans from the Office on Aging and Adult Services, 703.838.0857. The fan program is sponsored by Dominion Power. In addition, the Virginia Department for the Aging provides funds to help residents 60 and over pay for their electric bill. This Cooling Assistance Program is coordinated by the Alexandria Office on Aging, 703.838.0857. In extreme conditions, window air conditioner units can be purchased for “at risk” households. For information on this program, call the Alexandria Office of Community Services, 703.838.0904.

City employees who work outdoors have also been encouraged to take precautionary steps to avoid heat-related illness or injury, including drinking plenty of fluids, wearing light colored clothing and taking breaks from the heat and sun.

Pet owners should check on their outdoor pets to ensure they have plenty of water and access to shade. They are also reminded not to expose their pets to the deadly danger of heat stroke by leaving them unattended in their vehicles.

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