[Archived] City of Alexandria Encourages Residents to Stay Cool

City Press Release


	For Immediate Release	For More Information, Contact
	June 14, 2005 PIO# 200-05/jps	Barbara J. Gordon, Public Information Officer, or Jacob Patterson-Stein, Public Information Intern, at 703.838.4300 Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300

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 close to 100 degrees. 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.

City recreation centers are also air conditioned. For locations and hours visit the city website, www.alexandriava.gov, or call 703.838.4343.

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, open until 9 pm and the Landmark Shopping Center, open until 10 pm.

The American Red Cross website, www.redcross.org, provides access to a variety of tips for keeping cool, such as wearing lightweight and light colored clothing; avoiding strenuous activity or, if strenuous activity can not be avoided, doing it during the coolest part of the day, from 4 am to 7 am; drinking plenty of water and avoiding caffeine and alcohol, which dehydrate the body.

For more information contact the Alexandria Health Department, 703.838.4872, or the Alexandria Chapter of the Red Cross, 703.549.8300.

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