With heat and humidity pushing temperatures to more than 90 degrees over the next several days, Dauphin County Commissioners Jeff Haste, Mike Pries and George P. Hartwick, III and the county’s Area Agency on Aging have activated their heat emergency plan. As part of the plan, the agency’s staff reach out to at-risk senior citizens to make sure they are safe and offer fans and air conditioning units to those in need.
“We’re taking a proactive approach and notifying at-risk seniors about the dangerously high temperatures to ensure they’re safe and know where to turn for help,” said Hartwick, who has oversight of the county’s Area Agency on Aging. “The county’s Area Agency on Aging will deliver fans and air conditioners, if needed, to seniors in Dauphin County.”
The agency has a limited number of fans and air conditioning units available for loan to needy seniors age 60 and over. To obtain a fan or air conditioner, or to request other assistance, citizens may call the Area Agency on Aging at 717-780-6130, which is staffed around-the-clock.
“If you have older neighbors or family members, please make sure to check on them,” said Pries. “High temperatures are particularly dangerous for older adults, young children and individuals with breathing difficulties.”
“A small home or apartment can heat up very fast, and with tragic consequences for someone in fragile health,” warned Haste. “If you or a loved one needs assistance, please call our helpful staff.”