[Archived] Keep Your Cool During Summer Heat!

The National Weather Service forecast indicates that hot and humid weather will continue across the Washington D.C. metropolitan area through Friday, July 8. Highs will reach the lower to middle 90s. These hot temperatures, combined with high humidity, will cause heat index values of more than 100 degrees.

The City of Alexandria urges the public to exercise caution as the heat continues. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity can create a situation in which heat-related illnesses can occur. 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. For more information on these conditions, please visit the City’s How to Beat the Summer Heat webpage.

Here are some tips for keeping cool:

• Stay hydrated: drink two to four glasses of cool fluids each hour. Be sure to provide plenty of fresh water for your pets, too.
• If you must go outdoors, stay in the shade and wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing. 
• Do not leave infants, children, people with fragile medical conditions or pets in a parked car. 
• Check on family members, neighbors and friends who may be at risk or do not have access to air conditioning.
• Visit one of the City’s air-conditioned facilities, such as recreation centers (alexandriava.gov/RecreationCenters) and libraries (www.alexandria.lib.va.us), or take a dip in a City pool (alexandriava.gov/Pools).
• Summer heat can bring storms and power outages. If your power goes out, contact Dominion Virginia Power at 1.866.366.4357 or visit www.dom.com to report the outage.

For more tips and information about dealing with summer heat, visit the City’s How to Beat the Summer Heat webpage.

For media inquiries, contact Andrea Blackford, Senior Communications Officer, at andrea.blackford@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3959.