Safety Tips for Summer Weather

The summer months in New England are famous for their tumultuous moods and whims when it comes to the daily weather. While TV forecasts and weather advisory channels may help with preparation for the week ahead, severe weather is still subject to happen, and sometimes, with little to no warning.

For those who are wondering what they can do to stay safe for the next couple of months, Tom Kettle, Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response at Westfield State, offers some tips and guidelines to help you stay safe.

Heat

Stay hydrated. If temperatures climb over 85 degrees Fahrenheit, drink one quart of water per hour.

Wear light, loose fitting clothing. Avoid wearing dark colors such as black, grey, or navy blue, as that will absorb more sunlight than brighter colors such as white, yellow, or pink.

Use sunscreen. Most pharmacies, drug stores, and department stores will have a variety of cream and spray-based sunscreens. If you can, check the daily UV index scale before going out for better preparation.

Stay around air-conditioner units if possible. For those with breathing problems or conditions exacerbated by heat waves, try to stay indoors or be around AC units whenever you can.

Plan your outdoor activities either early in the day or before dusk. As temperatures usually peak around 1—3 p.m., these are the best hours when trying to avoid heat stroke.

Thunderstorms

Be aware of the forecast. Thunderstorms can seemingly come out of nowhere, so get in the habit of checking your weather app whenever you can. In most apps, you can also set your weather alerts to on, so you’ll automatically receive updates whenever the forecast changes.

Watch the sky. In addition to keeping an eye on the daily forecast, you can intermittently peek outside the window to see what the sky is like. If you’re already outdoors, simply look around and take notice if any of the clouds are dark or moving more quickly than normal.

If you hear thunder, go indoors. Because lightning follows thunder, hearing the latter is a great indicator to seek shelter. If you can’t, avoid elevated areas, trees, and other electrical conductors. Crouch down low and keep your head tucked to make yourself a smaller target. Under no circumstances should you be swimming or actively in a body of water during a thunderstorm.

Power Outages

Severe weather can cause power outages, so in the case of an outage, it’s important to know what to do beforehand to limit damage or obstacles.

Always carry a flashlight. If not on your person, keep one in your car or have several in your house at all times. Smaller flashlights can be bought and then attached to your keychain while retaining good visibility and battery life.

Sign up for RAVE notifications. That way, if the power outage affects your television or cellphone service, you’ll still receive updates about what’s going on.

In the event of a prolonged power outage:

• Keep a full tank of gas
• Have cash readily available
• Charge all electronic devices
• Full tubs with water

Use caution with generators. Never run a generator inside a garage of next to a window. Deadly carbon monoxide can build up in the home and cause severe medical issues.

If a family member has power-dependent medical devices, call your electric company. Seek immediate assistance since their health depends on this equipment. If possible, contact a friend or neighbor to help you. In life-threatening cases, dial 911.

For campus residence halls:

• Use emergency power only
• Utilize the emergency lighting along the hallways and staircases
• Be aware of the fire alarm systems, as they may go off or detect something