Graphic courtesy of ready.gov/heat.
Washingtonians have experienced new record high temperatures in recent years, spurring new urgency helping people keep cool.
The Department of Commerce’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program last year started offering assistance to low-income households who want to purchase air-conditioners or need help paying utility bills for cooling appliances. The program, which was originally designed to help people keep their homes warm, has now helped more than 1,000 residents purchase A/C units. Watch here to learn more about Commerce’s efforts to help more people stay cool, or read more here.
The Department of Health is also promoting tips for staying cool:
- Stay indoors and in an air-conditioned environment as much as possible unless you're sure your body has a high tolerance for heat
- Drink plenty of fluids but avoid beverages that contain alcohol, caffeine or a lot of sugar
- Eat more frequently but make sure meals are balanced and light
- Never leave any person or pet in a parked vehicle
Original source can be found here.