The District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency will implement the city’s multi-agency heat emergency plan in response to the National Weather Service (NWS) heat advisory issued for today, when temperatures are expected to go above 95 degrees. The heat advisory remains in effect from 2 pm this afternoon to 8 pm this evening.

The implementation will include the opening of cooling centers from 12 pm until 6 pm today at four District government buildings – Reeves Municipal Center, 2000 14th Street, NW; Judiciary Square, 441 4th Street, NW; 25 M Street, SW; and King Office Building , 2101 Martin Luther King, Jr., Avenue, SE. The Department of Human Services hyperthermia hotline – 1 (800) 535-7252 – also will be activated, and community rooms in senior citizen buildings managed by the DC Housing Authority will be utilized as cooling centers.

HSEMA Director Darrell Darnell said residents should limit their outdoor activities today and take precautions to ensure that they are not adversely affected by the extreme heat. “In addition to taking steps to ensure their own health, during extreme heat residents also should be sure to check on elderly relatives and neighbors, and remember to bring their pets inside,” Mr. Darnell noted.

Other recommended precautions to observe in the event of extreme heat include:

• Turn on an air-conditioner or fan
• DO NOT leave children or pets in vehicles
• Drink plenty of water
• Wear light-colored, lightweight and loose fitting clothes
• If you must go outside, apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going out
• Limit exposure to the sun (the sun is most powerful between 10 am and 3 pm)
• Avoid alcoholic drinks and caffeinated beverages