Dangerous heat wave to hit Western New York

How to stay cool in the City of Good Neighbors as temperatures approach 100 degrees.

Anyone who associates Buffalo weather with snow should come visit us this week, as we expect temperatures to reach the 90s and stay that way for a few days.

In a region more known for snow squalls than its ability to bake cookies on vehicle dashboards, Buffalo has never experienced a 100-degree day. Will that change this week? Accuweather’s forecast for Monday warns that the high of 82 degrees is the “beginning of a prolonged heat wave; Stay hydrated.” The actual temperature for the rest of the week is in the 90s until the chance of rain Saturday offers some relief.

Besides drinking lots of water, what can we do to stay safe in the heat? The Red Cross says the average person needs about ¾ gallon of water per day for basic metabolic functions; You’ll probably need more this week to combat dehydration and heat exhaustion, especially if you work or spend a lot of time outside. If you are very active outdoors, you may want to add sports drinks to your beverage lineup to replace the electrolytes lost through sweat. But don’t add sugary or caffeinated drinks to the grocery list to stay hydrated; that won’t help – and neither will that cold beer or wine. The Red Cross also warns against relying solely on electric fans to stay cool. “When temperatures reach the 90s, fans cannot prevent heat-related illnesses. Taking a cool shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned area is a much better way to cool down.

If you have an air conditioner at home, now is the time to install it for the season and make sure it is in good working order.

Other heat preparation and safety tips include wearing light, loose-fitting clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and knowing the signs of heatstroke.

Mayor Byron Brown’s office announced last week that the city’s splash pads would be open starting Monday, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., longer than the usual hours of 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., to ease the heat. Paddling pools can be found at the following address:

● Ralph Wilson Park on Porter Avenue;

● Allison Park on Reese Street;

● MLK Jr. Park at the intersection of Best Street and Filmore Avenue;

● Lanigan Park on South Park Avenue;

● Lincoln Park on Quincy Street;

● Cazenovia Park behind the casino;

● Houghton Park on Spahn Street;

● Schiller Park on the rue Sprenger side;

● Roosevelt Park on Roosevelt Avenue; And

● Kensington Pool and Splash Pad on Kensington Avenue.

Municipal pools are also available indoors, at Cazenovia Pool on Abbott Road and Lovejoy Pool on Lovejoy Street.

If you have pets, remember to NEVER leave them alone in a car in the heat, even for a moment, even if the air conditioning is on or with a window open. “On an 85-degree day, even in the shade with the windows open, the temperature inside a car will rise to 104 degrees in 10 minutes and 119 degrees in 30 minutes. With the humidity we are experiencing here in Buffalo, it could go even higher,” warns the SPCA. “Since a dog’s normal body temperature is 101 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit, they can only withstand a body temperature of 107 to 109 degrees for a very short time before suffering irreparable brain damage or death .”

Even at home, make sure your pets have enough access to shade and water to stay healthy. This will be a good week for evening or early morning walks, when the temperature is a little cooler than during the peak of the sun’s rays in the afternoon.

If you have other furry animals, like rabbits, the SPCA suggests freezing a bottle of water, then wrapping it in a cloth and putting it in the animal’s cage to help it settle down. refresh.

If you see an animal left outside without access to shade or water, or left alone in a vehicle, call the Erie County SPCA at 716-875-7360, ext. 20. 214