Heat wave continues through the weekend

posted on 7/21/2022; updated 7/22/2022

The National Weather Service forecasts high temperatures to extend through this weekend. Daily high temperatures are expected to reach the low to mid 90s. Heat indices may reach the upper 90s to near 100, with hottest conditions expected on Sunday, July, 24, 2022. The heat index measures how hot it feels when relative humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature.

Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses. According to the National Weather Service, heat is one of the leading weather-related killers in the United States, resulting in hundreds of fatalities annually.

For an up-to-date forecast, visit the National Weather Service's information for Dover at https://go.usa.gov/xPGSn.

Dover Fire Chief Michael McShane reminds residents they can use city buildings to cool off and urges them to be mindful of heat-related illnesses. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

Ways to cool off in Dover

Cooling centers

Residents looking to cool off can visit cooling centers during regular hours, including:

• McConnell Center cafeteria at 61 Locust St., open Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.;
• Dover Public Library at 73 Locust St., open Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Closed Sundays during the summer;
• City Hall at 288 Central Ave., open Monday through Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.;
• Dover Police Department lobby at 46 Chestnut St., open 24 hours a day, seven days a week;
• Community Action Partnership of Strafford County's Day Center, located at Bradley Commons, 577 Central Ave., open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.;

For an up-to-date list of City of Dover public facilities that serve as cooling locations and their hours of operation, visit https://www.dover.nh.gov/services/warming-and-cooling-centers.html.

Pools and Splash pad

The City of Dover operates two pools and a splash pad:

• Jenny Thompson Outdoor Pool, at 140 Portland Ave., is open daily with scheduled times for lap swims and recreational swims on a first-come, first-served basis. Find more information about the pool, schedule and costs here: https://www.dover.nh.gov/government/city-operations/recreation/jenny-thompson-pool/.
• Dover Indoor Pool, at 9 Henry Law Ave., is open Monday through Friday until 1 p.m. Recreational swims are not available during the summer; however, there are opportunities for lap swims, hydro fitness and therapy swims. Find more information about the pool, schedule and costs here: https://www.dover.nh.gov/government/city-operations/recreation/aquatics/.
• Splash Pad at Dover Adventure Playground, at Henry Law Park, is activated daily from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

Staying cool tips

• Stay out of the sun as much as possible. Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day and take regular breaks from physical activity.
• Wear sunscreen and loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing to help keep cool.
• Never leave children, seniors, pets, or people with health conditions in a parked vehicle, even briefly. Temperatures can become dangerous within a few minutes.
• Check on your neighbors, especially seniors and people with chronic illnesses, to see if they need assistance.
• Use air conditioning to cool down. People who do not have an air conditioner can go to an air-conditioned public building, such as a public library or shopping mall, for a few hours. (See Cooling Centers above).
• Drink plenty of fluids – don't wait until you're thirsty to drink. Water is best. Avoid alcohol, caffeine and sugary drinks.
• Be aware that some medicines affect the body's ability to sweat and stay cool. Do NOT stop taking medication unless instructed to do so by your healthcare provider.

Signs of heat-related illnesses

• Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and salt, usually through excessive sweating. Those most prone to heat exhaustion include the elderly, those with high blood pressure, and those working in hot environments. Symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, irritability, thirst, heavy sweating, elevated body temperature and decreased urine output.
• If you are experiencing heat exhaustion, drink cool beverages, seek air conditioning, rest, and remove unnecessary clothing, including shoes and socks. Cool the body with cold compresses and/or wash the head, face and neck with cold water. If left untreated, heat stroke can result.
• Heat stroke is life-threatening. It occurs when the body is unable to control its temperature. The body temperature can rise rapidly, its sweating mechanism fails, and the body cannot cool down. When heat stroke occurs, the body temperature can rise to 106 degrees or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Call 911 for emergency medical care. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not given.
• Heat stroke symptoms include red skin that is hot to the touch, changes in consciousness, confusion, altered mental status, and slurred speech. Other signs include rapid, weak pulse and rapid, shallow breathing. The body temperature may rise dramatically, and the skin may feel dry. Move someone experiencing heat stroke to a cool place and seek emergency medical assistance.

See the Centers for Disease Control for more information about warning signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses at https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html.