The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Heat Advisory for the City of Alexandria from 1-7 p.m. today, Tuesday, July 8. These high temperatures pose serious health risks, especially for older adults, children, and those with medical conditions or without air conditioning. Temperatures during this period could feel as high as 106 degrees.
City Resources for Extreme Heat
City of Alexandria recreation centers will function as cooling centers to help residents cope with the heat. For a full list of these locations and their operating hours, visit the City’s Seasonal and Emergency Warming & Cooling Options webpage.
Alexandria Libraries are open as cooling centers during normal operating hours. Visit the library website to view a full list of locations and hours.
The City’s Senior Cool Care program has also pre-coordinated the potential use of portable cooling devices if needed. Call 703.746.5999 to request cooling devices.
The Alexandria Transit Company (DASH) is following normal operating status and is prepared to deploy buses as mobile cooling centers if needed.
How to Stay Safe in Extreme Heat
Stay safe and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones from the extreme heat.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcoholic and caffeinated beverages, which can lead to dehydration.
- Stay Indoors: Remain in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. If your home does not have air conditioning, visit public places such as shopping malls, libraries, or cooling centers.
- Limit Outdoor Activities: If you must be outside, avoid strenuous activities, wear lightweight and light-colored clothing, and take frequent breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments.
- Check on Vulnerable Individuals: Ensure that family, friends, and neighbors who are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses are staying cool and hydrated.
- Recognize Heat-Related Illnesses: Be aware of the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which include heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, and nausea. Severe cases can cause high body temperature or unconsciousness. If symptoms of heat stroke occur, immediately call 911. Learn more at ready.gov/heat.
- Keep Pets Cool: Pet owners are reminded to ensure their animals are kept cool and hydrated. Never leave pets in a parked car, as temperatures can quickly become life-threatening.
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If you prefer communication in another language, free interpretation and translation services are available to you. Please email LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.3960.
Tips to Conserve Energy and Reduce Unwanted Heat Indoors
- Set your thermostat to the highest comfortable temperature. Dominion Energy and the U.S. Department of Energy recommend a setting of 78 degrees for maximum efficiency.
- Use programmable thermostats to save money by automatically turning up the AC when you are not at home.
- Close your blinds or curtains to prevent interior heat gain from windows. Sunlight shining through windows can account for up to 40% of unwanted heat gain and can force your air conditioner to work two to three times harder.
- Turn off lights and unplug the TV and other unnecessary appliances to yield energy savings.
- Use ceiling fans to move air over the body, which provides a cooling effect. Most fans have a switch to change the fan direction. Make sure ceiling fans are blowing downward (in a counter-clockwise direction) to send air past your body. Turn fans off when the room is unoccupied.
- Replace or clean forced air heating and cooling system filters monthly.
- Set your water heater at 120 degrees and insulate the heater and adjacent pipes to prevent heat loss.
- Close the flue to any fireplaces when not in use.
- Use an outdoor grill during hot weather to reduce heat gain from indoor cooking.
- Consider doing dishes or laundry later in the evening to reduce the heat and humidity that are added to your home.