Albany community works to stay safe amid extreme heat
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- With temperatures hitting the 90s and the heat index even higher in Albany, staying cool isn’t always easy, especially for people who work outside or those without reliable access to air conditioning.
"The toughest part about doing this job in extreme heat is staying cool in the midst of working," said Tashawn, a worker in Albany. "Because at the same time we have to drink water, and we still have to work in the heat just to get paid.”
Fortunately, some employers are adjusting to protect their workers. This included starting earlier and encouraging breaks.
“Our supervisor, he does not have us do extreme work after a certain time of the day," said Julius, a worker in Albany. "So we normally try to wrap things up no later than 10 a.m."
It’s not just workers who are at risk and need to take precautions. The heat also takes a toll on Albany’s most vulnerable and one resident has a way to help.
“There are a lot of homeless people who can’t put their stuff anywhere, you know, jackets and stuff, so they are dying of heat," said Angel. "So if people could, there could be a fridge on Lark, put a bunch of bottles of water, just something to help cool them off."
If you're looking to stay cool amid the extreme heat, Dr. Jim McDonald, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health, provided the following suggestions:
- Drink plenty of water
- Limit outdoor activity, stay in the shade, wear a hat, and apply sunscreen
- Avoid caffeine
- Prioritize eating healthy, avoid processed foods
- Stay where it’s air-conditioned or visit a local cooling center