Resources available to Waukesha County residents during extreme heat

July 21, 2016

Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow is reminding residents of the resources available during the excessive heat warning in effect from noon Thursday, July 21, through 7 p.m. Friday, July 22.

"Excessive heat is the most frequent weather-related danger in southeast Wisconsin," said Farrow. "For this reason, Waukesha County has safeguards in place to ensure that even our most vulnerable residents can stay safe and healthy."

Cooling centers

Dozens of cooling centers and places to cool off are in Waukesha County, such as libraries, malls, or senior dining centers.

·Members of the public may use Waukesha County ice arenas as cooling stations for free. The cost to skate is $6.50 for adults and $5 for seniors and children.

·Naga-Waukee Park Ice arena, 2699 Golf Road, Delafield, will extend its open skate hours from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, with various activities to watch throughout the day.

·Eble Park Ice Arena, 19400 W. Bluemound Road, Brookfield, is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Open skate is from noon to 2 p.m.

·Retzer Nature Center's Environmental Learning Center (S14 W28167 Madison St., Waukesha, will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Call 211 to locate a cooling center, and to see if transportation to the center is available. Or visit www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/preparedness/cooling-sites.pdf for a list of cooling centers.

Emergencies v. nonemergencies

Residents should only call 911 if they are experiencing an emergency situation that poses an immediate risk to health, life, property, or environment.

·Call 911 for anyone suffering the following symptoms related to heat stroke: headache, red and dry skin without sweating, a body temperature near 103 degrees, nausea or vomiting, a rapid pulse, a declining alert status or loss of consciousness.

·Extreme heat can cause pavement blowouts. Call 911 for any traffic hazards occurring on roadways or environmental dangers.

·Residents who need information about nonemergency heat-related resources are encouraged to call 211. This information includes where to find cooling centers and whether transportation to cooling centers is available.

·Power outages that do not result in an emergency should be reported to We Energies at 800-662-4797. Power outages that result in issues with medical equipment or produce smoking, arcing, or downed wires should be reported to 911.

Utility service disconnections

Wisconsin law prevents a utility from disconnecting occupied dwelling units when a heat advisory, heat warning or heat emergency is in effect.

Utilities are required to make reasonable attempts to reconnect service that has been disconnected for nonpayment when there is a potential threat to health or life that results from the combination of the heat and loss of service.

The utility may require that an occupant produce a licensed physician's statement or notice from a public health, social service, or law enforcement official.

Call the public service commission consumer affairs at 800-225-7729 for more information about utility services.

Wellness checks

Certain populations are more vulnerable to health risks related to extreme heat, such as adults older than 65; children younger than 5; people with health issues such as chronic diseases, or who take certain medications; and individuals who work outside.

Waukesha County's Division of Health and Human Services is helping these populations by increasing wellness checks of current clients. Residents can help these populations by checking in on elderly neighbors and by not leaving children or pets in hot cars.

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