READING, Pa. – Reading is facing dangerous and potentially deadly heat conditions through the Fourth of July weekend, and officials are urging people to stay safe.
Temperatures are expected to reach 100 degrees, with humidity making it feel like 110.
Peter Brown, executive director of the Pennsylvania Rivers Chapter of the American Red Cross, said heat like this is a health risk.
“The heat is bad. The combination of the heat and humidity makes it a really dangerous situation,” Brown said. “When it’s this hot, it’s extremely dangerous.”
Brown said hydration is key to staying safe.
“If you’re going to be outside for a good part of a day, you should be drinking at least a cup of water every 20 to 30 minutes,” he said.
With the Fourth of July around the corner, Brown says everyone needs to take extra precautions.
“If you’re having a big outdoors picnic, you might just want to ask everybody to go inside every so often,” he said.
The senior centers will operate normal business hours and offer water, information on heat safety resources and assistance programs, and more, the Agency said in a news release.
Older adults, pregnant women and children are the most at risk.
Parents at the pool say in heat like this, it’s important to pay extra attention.
“I definitely make sure I put sunscreen on them multiple times a day,” said Jenna Evans.
“Keep them hydrated, and make sure they take little breaks inside to stay cool,” said Brynn Bennethum.
The Red Cross recommends checking up on friends and family during the heat.
“We really, as a community, just need to look out for each other,” Brown said.
For those who don’t have air conditioning, the Red Cross recommends checking out a local cooling center.
For seniors, all of Berks County’s senior centers will be open this week to cool off.
Berks County Senior Centers:
Douglasville- 2144 Weavertown Rd, Douglassville, PA, 19518
Fleetwood- 14432 Kutztown Rd, Fleetwood, PA, 19522
Mifflin- 30 Liberty Street, Shillington, PA, 19607
Reading- 40 North 9th Street, Reading, PA, 19601
Wernersville- 350 Sportsman Rd, Wernersville State Hospital, Wernersville, PA, 19565
Mohnton- 400 E. Wyomissing Blvd, Mohnton, PA, 19540
Additional locations:
Casa De La Amistad- 25 North 2nd Street, Reading, PA, 19601
The Center at Spring Street- 200 West Spring Street, Boyertown, PA, 19512
Call the Berks County Area Agency on Aging at 610-478-6500 or visit their website for more information.