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How to keep cool in dangerously high temperatures
How to keep cool in dangerously high temperatures
MILWAUKEE -- The heat in our area needs to be taken seriously. It can be dangerous, even deadly and the City of Milwaukee is taking steps to help people cool off.
Being outside on a hot summer day can feel great if you're in an air-conditioned office building or out near the lakefront. But many people in Milwaukee don't have access to either, and that's when this weather can become dangerous.
The dog days of summer have arrived.
"It is very, very warm for Wisconsin. I'm not used to this," said Maya Chaney.
Whether it's taking a spoonful of ice cream or taking a dip in the water, keeping cool is a top priority.
"I got all the way in the lake and it was freezing," said Nick Eichenberger.
As temperatures climbed into the 90s on Friday, the Milwaukee Health Department is on the lookout for heat-related illnesses or deaths -- there are none so far.
The health department says air conditioning is the best way to avoid any heat-related illnesses. For people who don't have access to A/C, any public building is available to go into -- such as museums, libraries or shopping malls.
Paul Biedryzki's message for the public is to stay inside or find shade and water. For families who may not have easy access to green space, transportation or A/C, the city is working with community partners to allow public buildings to remain open later and to set up cooling spots in urban neighborhoods.
"Heat is the number one killer in terms of extreme weather events. It kills more people than tornadoes, hurricanes, lightning strikes combined each year," said Paul Biedrzycki, Milwaukee Health Department.
"For some people that's life and death," said Nicole Angresano, United Way.
One of those partners is the United Way. Through a special grant for emergency needs, Nicole Angresano is able to provide extra fans for homeless shelters now and throughout the summer.
"This isn't going to be the last two days of heat. So we're already ramping up our efforts and our preparedness for the coming weeks to make sure we can be responsive in an ongoing manner," said Angresano.