POTSDAM – Temperatures expected to be over 90 degrees next week will have many people in St. Lawrence County seeking relief from the heat, and Canton-Potsdam Hospital is distributing some tips to help people stay cool.

The Weather Channel is calling for temperatures to peak at about 90 degrees on Tuesday in Massena, Ogdensburg, Canton and Potsdam. Meteorologists are calling for a high of 94 degrees Wednesday in Potsdam. Thursday's high temperatures are predicted at 92 degrees in Massena and 91 in Potsdam and Ogdensburg. Highs in the 80s are in the forecast through July 22 in St. Lawrence County.

Canton-Potsdam Hospital’s Safety and Security Officer has some advice for local residents for what to do at home to stay safe and well during periods of extremely hot and humid weather.

Benjamin Gratto works with facilities engineers and maintenance technicians on the CPH main hospital campus to ensure patients, visitors, and employees know how to protect themselves during special weather events and to ensure that hospital heating, ventilation, and cooling systems are optimal for a healing environment, according to hospital officials.

“Temperatures above 90 degrees can be deadly, particularly for the elderly, the very young, and those who may be overexposed to the sun, such as construction workers or farmers, and those who exercise in hot and humid conditions,” said Gratto. “Residents can take precautions in their home environments to prepare for extreme heat,” he said.

According to Gratto, these precautions include installing window air conditioners snugly and insulating around them if necessary as well as checking air conditioning ducts for proper insulation; ensuring that air-conditioning units are properly vented; installing temporary window reflectors (for use between windows and drapes), such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, to reflect heat to the outside; weather-stripping doors and sills to keep cool air inside; covering windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings, or louvers; keeping storm windows installed all year round; listening to local weather forecasts and staying aware of upcoming temperature changes; knowing those in your neighborhood who are at risk of overexposure to heat such as those who are elderly, very young, sick, or overweight; and becoming trained in first aid to learn how to treat heat-related emergencies.

“If you don’t have air conditioning, or even if you don’t have an electric fan, you can open up the windows to get cross-breezes of cooler air at night, and then shut all the windows except the highest placed one to keep the cool air inside,” said Gratto. “Heat rises, so it will escape out of that highest-placed window that you leave open, and the cool air will stay inside at least for most of the day,” he said.

“Refraining from using heat sources, such as the stove or oven, hair dryers, and clothes dryers will also keep heat from building up inside your home,” he said. “Turn off unnecessary appliances that may give off heat,” he advised.

Gratto emphasized that during periods of high heat and humidity, people at risk should leave errands for cooler periods of the day and should drink plenty of water while finding a cool place to rest.

“Athletes should exercise very early in the morning or late in the evening; those are also the best times to do household chores, like mowing the lawn,” he said.

“And don’t forget your best friends during extreme heat,” said Gratto. “Leave them in shade or indoors with lots of water. During hot weather, never leave pets in a vehicle for even a short period of time even with the windows open. It is a violation of New York State Agriculture law to leave an animal in a vehicle when doing so exposes the animal to extreme heat or cold,” he said, “and the temperature in a vehicle can rise well over 100 degrees in a very short period of time, even if windows are open.”

“Above all, never ever leave children unattended in a vehicle at any time,” said Gratto.

For other safety tips related to the weather and the home environment, visit https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/emergency/weather/hot/.