[Archived] City of Alexandria Encourages Residents to Stay Cool

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2004
PIO 140-04

City of Alexandria Encourages Residents to Stay Cool

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for the area this afternoon. By mid afternoon temperatures in the lower 90s combined with high humidity will make it feel like the upper 90s. 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. Because of the hot weather during the heat advisory, the City of Alexandria is taking steps to ensure the safety of its residents and employees.

Alexandria’s senior centers, all air-conditioned, are open free to anyone over 60 years of age for daytime activities. The senior centers available are the Charles Houston Senior Center, 905 Wythe St., 703.838.4832, and the Saint Martin de Porres Senior Center at 4650 Taney Ave., 703.751.2766.

The recreation centers are also air conditioned. The John Adams Recreation Center, 5651Rayburn Ave., 703.838.4345 (9 am to 5 pm) and 703.578.3388 (6 pm to 10 pm), offers a gym and a game room. The Chinquapin Park Recreation Center, 3210 King St., 703.519.2160, has an indoor pool, a fitness room and racquetball courts.

David's Place, a day shelter for homeless people, is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm. It is operated by and located at Carpenter's Shelter, 930 N. Henry St and is open to anyone who needs to get out of the heat. For details, call 703.548.7500.

The City encourages residents to use caution during the extreme heat. Public places for citizens to cool off also include Alexandria City libraries and the Landmark Shopping Center.

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 strokeby leaving them unattended in their vehicles.

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