Hurricanes, Flooding, Snow

The best way to be prepared is to know what is going on and know how to react.

Know the hurricane risks in your area and also the storm surge history and elevation.

Check for info on the Town’s website and Facebook page.

Make sure you have enough non-perishable food, water supplies, and medications on hand.

Visit the Dutchess County’s Emergency Response Page for more info

Make an Emergency Supply Kit Now! Keep it in your home in a central place and keep a smaller version in your car. Don’t forget to replace expired items!

Items to include in your kit

Water - one gallon per person per day for several days for drinking & sanitation

Food - at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable food

Flashlight - First aid kit- Extra batteries- Whistle (to signal for help) - Dust Mask (to help filter contaminated air) - Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place) - Moist towellets - Garbage Bags - Wrench or pliers - Manual can opener - Maps - Masks - Cash - Sleeping bag or warm blankets - Change of clothing - Fire Extinquisher - Matches in a waterproof container - Mess kits - Paper and pencil/pen - Activities for children - Change of Clothing - Personal hygiene items -

Prescription medications and list - Non -Prescription essentials

Baby supplies sucha s formula, bottles, diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream

Pet Food and water, don’t forget some toys and treats

For more hints to Be Ready visit the Fema Ready website

Don’t ignore those heat advisories.

Be sure to sign up for NY Alerts.

The following information is taken from the Dutchess County Governments’ website.

But remember if you are seeking a cooling center please call the Pleasant Valley Library 845-635-8460

Slow down. Strenuous activities should be reduced, eliminated, or rescheduled to the coolest time of the day.

Drink plenty of water or other non-alcohol fluids. Drink plenty of fluids even if you don't feel thirsty.

Persons who (1) have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease, (2) are on fluid restrictive diets or (3) have a problem with fluid retention should consult a physician before increasing their consumption of fluids.

Do not drink alcoholic beverages and avoid caffeine and large amounts of sugar, these can cause your body to lose more fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks – as it can cause stomach cramps.

Get out of the heat. Spend more time in air-conditioned places. If your home is not air-conditioned, spend some time at the local library, shopping mall, grocery store, movie theater or other air-conditioned location.

Dutchess County Parks also offer a variety ways to stay cool in the summer heat. Wilcox Park in Milan features a lake for swimming and Bowdoin Park in Poughkeepsie features water spray turtles for refreshing way to cool off.

Seasonal Preparedness - Spring/Summer

Heat is the number one weather-related killer in the United States. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service statistical data shows heat causes more fatalities per year than floods, lightning, tornadoes, and hurricanes combined. Make sure you know the risks of excessive heat and how to protect yourself and your family from heat related illness.

Hazards of Excessive Heat

Heat disorders generally have to do with a reduction or collapse of the body's ability to shed heat by circulatory changes and sweating, or a chemical (salt) imbalance caused by too much sweating.

When heat gain exceeds the level the body can remove, or when the body cannot compensate for fluids and salt lost through perspiration, the temperature of the body's inner core begins to rise and heat-related illness may develop. Ranging in severity, heat disorders share one common feature: the individual has overexposed or over exercised for his age and physical condition in the existing thermal environment.

The severity of heat disorders tend to increase with age - heat cramps in a 17-year-old may be heat exhaustion in someone 40, and heat stroke in a person over 60.

Know The Symptoms of Heat Disorders & General Care for Heat Emergencies

SUNBURN: Redness and pain. In severe cases swelling of skin, blisters, fever, headaches. First Aid: Ointments for mild cases if blisters appear and do not break. If breaking occurs, apply dry sterile dressing. Serious, extensive cases should be seen by physician.

HEAT CRAMPS: Painful spasms usually in muscles of legs and abdomen possible. Heavy sweating. First Aid: Firm pressure on cramping muscles, or gentle massage to relieve spasm. Give sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue use.

HEAT EXHAUSTION: Heavy sweating, weakness, skin cold, pale and clammy. Pulse thready. Normal temperature possible. Fainting and vomiting. First Aid: Get victim out of sun, lay down and loosen clothing. Sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue use. Apply cool, wet cloths and move victim to air conditioned room. If vomiting continues, seek immediate medical attention.

HEAT STROKE (or sunstroke): High body temperature (106° F or higher). Hot dry skin. Rapid and strong pulse. Possible unconsciousness. First Aid: HEAT STROKE IS A SEVERE MEDICAL EMERGENCY. SUMMON EMERGENCY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE OR GET THE VICTIM TO A HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY. DELAY CAN BE FATAL. Move the victim to a cooler environment where there are fans and air conditioners. Reduce body temperature with cold bath or sponging. Do not give fluids.

For more information contact your local American Red Cross Chapter. Ask to enroll in a first aid course. First Aid: Ointments for mild cases if blisters appear and do not break. If breaking occurs, apply dry sterile dressing. Serious, extensive cases should be seen by physician.

It is important to protect pets and consider their comfort and safety. Remember, “if it is too hot for me, it’s too hot for my pet”.

Dogs and cats don’t sweat so they don’t have an efficient way to cool down! They need your help!

Water - Pets should have a cool fresh water supply. So check and change their water often and on really warm days add a few ice cubes.

Shelter - Pets left outside should have shade and fresh cool water within reach. New York State Law states all dogs kept outdoors that cannot immediately run back inside an insulated permanent structure are required to have dog houses.

If you have any questions as to if your dog house meets the standards or if your dog needs a dog house, contact the Dutchess County SPCA Humane Law Department at 845-452-7722 Ext. 3.

Pets need access to shade whether natural or artificial. On very warm days bring your pet inside.

Exercise your pet during the cooler hours of the day – morning and evening. Keep them hydrated and watch for heat stress.

Paw Problems - Can occur from hot pavement, sticky tar or gravel. Never use kerosene or turpentine to remove tar from pets. Chemicals can irritate the skin and can be toxic. Check with your vet as to the proper treatment of removing tar or any other foreign substance.

NEVER LEAVE YOUR PET UNATTENDED IN A PARKED CAR! Temperatures can reach over 120 degrees in minutes. Parking in the shade even with the windows open can be dangerous and your pet can die within minutes. Don’t let your pets ride with their heads out the window or in the back of a pickup. They can be hit by flying debris or be thrown or jump out of your truck.If you are or know of an elderly person, a person suffering from asthma or other conditions where heat will cause them further discomfort

Children & Excessive Heat

Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle, even with the windows down. Each year children die from hyperthermia as a result of being left enclosed in parked vehicles. Hyperthermia is an acute condition that occurs when the body absorbs more heat than it can dissipate. This can occur even on a mild day. Leaving the windows slightly open does not significantly decrease the heating rate. The effects can be even more severe on children because their bodies warm at a faster rate than adults.

Thermometer

Check to make sure seating surfaces and equipment (child safety seat and safety belt buckles) aren't too hot when securing a child in a safety restraint system in a car that has been parked in the heat.

Always lock car doors and trunks -- even at home -- and keep keys out of children's reach.

Always make sure all child passengers have left the car when you reach your destination. Don't overlook sleeping infants.

Heat Safety Tips for the Elderly

Dangerous increases in body temperatures are more likely to occur in the elderly. Mortality, from all causes, rises dramatically during heat waves in people over 50 and it progresses with increasing age. Help protect elderly relatives and neighbors from heat-related problems by taking a few simply precautions:

Visit older adults at risk at least twice a day and watch for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke

Take them to air-conditioned locations if they have transportation problems

Making sure older adults have access to electric fans whenever possible

COOLING CENTERS PLEASANT VALLEY

TOO HOT? NO AC?

POOR AIR QUALITY

COOL DOWN & BREATHE BETTER

AT OUR

COOLING CENTER LOCATIONS

TOWN HALL 1554 Main St. Pleasant Valley NY

(845) 635-3274

Hours: Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm

Friday 9am-1pm

LIBRARY 1584 Main St.

(845) 635-8460

Hours: Monday- Thursday 10am-8pm

Friday 12pm-6pm

Saturday 10am-2pm