Milwaukee Health Dept., others urge precautions with heat wave approaching

It is dangerous and against the law to open fire hydrants without permission -- no matter how hot the temperature.

When hydrants are opened illegally, the water rushes out uncontrolled, causing water pressure to drop in the immediate area. That means firefighters may not have adequate pressure to put out a fire. Also, persons who illegally open hydrants usually do not have the correct tools, and frequently smash and destroy the hydrant. Only the Fire Department, the Milwaukee Water Works, and projects with a public works permit may open hydrants.

Illegally opened hydrants waste millions of gallons of treated water, and misuse the Lake Michigan resource. Please see page two for safe ways to keep cool.

Fire Hydrants are for fires, not for fun

It’s Dangerous

• A broken hydrant can’t be used to fight fires.


• An open hydrant lowers water pressure and hampers firefighting.


• The strong spray of water is dangerous for children.


• The water spray obstructs the view of drivers who may not see pedestrians or other vehicles in the water spray and has caused accidents.

It’s a Crime

• The penalty for tampering with a hydrant is a $1,000 fine or 30 days in jail.


• Report tampering and illegal hydrant opening by calling the Milwaukee Water Works’ 24-hour Control Center, (414) 286-3710.

Illegally Opened Hydrants are expensive

• Hydrant open one hour = water-only cost $312.00


• Hydrant open five hours = water-only cost $1,388.00


• Damaged or broken hydrant = $2,330.00


• Buildings are flooded resulting in property damage

All Milwaukee Public Library (MPL) locations will extend their hours of operation on Thursday, July 21st and Friday, July 22nd:

• Central Library downtown:  9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

• All MPL neighborhood branches:  10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Atkinson Library, 1960 W. Atkinson Ave.

Bay View Library, 2566 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.

Capitol Library, 3969 N. 74^th St.

Center Street Library, 2727 W. Fond du Lac Ave.

East Branch, 2320 N. Cramer St.

Martin Luther King Library, 310 W. Locust St.

Mill Road Library, 6431 N. 76^th St.

Tippecanoe Branch, 3912 S. Howell Ave.

Villard Square Branch, 5190 N. 35^th St.

Washington Park Library, 2121 N. Sherman Blvd.

Zablocki Library, 3501 W. Oklahoma Ave.

For more information on all MPL locations and hours of operation, go to www.mpl.org.

With no significant recent rainfall, coupled with the summer heat, City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works (DPW) officials are asking residents to give newly planted trees a drink.

DPW Forestry Division staff planted over 12,000 new street trees throughout Milwaukee in the past three years, including 2,325 trees in Spring 2016. Due to recent dry conditions and high temperatures, all street trees planted within the last three years are in need of immediate watering to prevent them from dying due to severe water stress.

“Street trees need supplemental watering during the first three years after planting to help them become
firmly established in their new location, particularly during periods of low rainfall,” said Ghassan Korban,
DPW Commissioner. “With a little help from City residents, Milwaukee’s new street trees will grow strong
and healthy, adding shade and beauty to our neighborhoods.”

New trees require about 10 gallons of water applied twice weekly during dry weather. Trees should be
watered slowly within the mulched area at the base of the tree so the water has a chance to infiltrate into the soil within the root zone. Watering the lawn with a sprinkler helps the tree, but unless it is left on for two hours or more, the water will not penetrate deep enough to fully benefit the tree.

Milwaukee residents should call (414) 286-CITY (-2489) if a new street tree is in need of attention.

State emergency management and health officials are urging everyone to “beat the heat” if you have to be outside or in non-air conditioned homes this week, and to check on older or isolated neighbors who may need assistance.  Temperatures are expected to rise to the mid-90s, with heat indexes reaching a potentially dangerous 95-108 degree range.

Heat is one of the leading causes of weather-related deaths in Wisconsin and in the United States.  Those who are most at risk are older adults and young children, and people living with chronic or mental health conditions.

People who do not have access to air conditioning in their homes are encouraged to seek out air conditioned facilities such as public buildings, malls, libraries, or senior centers, or stay with family or neighbors who have air conditioning. Some cooling centers may have extended hours and services to alleviate the stress of high temperatures. Call 211 for more information on cooling centers in your area.

Here are some tips to keep safe in hot weather:

• Never leave anyone, especially children or pets, in a parked car – even briefly. Temperatures in a car can become life threatening within minutes. On an 80-degree day, the temperature inside a car, even with the windows cracked slightly, can reach 100 degrees in less than 10 minutes.


• Keep your living space cool. Cover windows to keep the sun from shining in. If you don’t have an air conditioner, open windows to let air circulate. When it’s hotter than 95 degrees, use fans. Basements or ground floors are usually cooler than upper floors.


• Slow down and limit physical activity. Plan outings or exertion for the early morning or after dark when temperatures are cooler.


• Drink plenty of water and eat lightly. Do not wait for thirst, but instead drink plenty of water throughout the day. Avoid alcohol or caffeine and stay away from hot, heavy meals.


• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. Add a hat or umbrella to keep your head cool, and don’t forget sunscreen.


• Don’t stop taking medication unless your doctor says you should. Take extra care to stay cool and ask your doctor or pharmacist for any special heat advice as some medications can react adversely with increasing temperatures.


• Taking a cool shower or bath will cool you down. A shower or bath will actually work faster than an air conditioner. Applying cold wet towels to the neck, head, and limbs also cools down the body quickly.


• Check on neighbors throughout the day who may need assistance to protect themselves against dangerous temperatures.


• Empty any small containers, rain gutters, or any tires on property that may contain water. Standing water during extreme heat can lead to an increase in the mosquito population. Increased exposure to mosquitoes can increase the risk of mosquito borne diseases.


• Pets and livestock can also suffer from the heat. Make sure all pets and livestock have access to cool, clean water, and shade. If you can, bring pets inside where there is air conditioning. Try to provide shade for all animals pastured outside. Limit exercising your pet to early morning or late evening hours when it is cooler. Some of the signs of heatstroke in pets include heavy panting, glazed eyes, and excessive thirst. Seek veterinary assistance immediately.


• The heat can cause roads to buckle. For up-to-date closures and detour information visit www.511wi.gov(link is external), download the free mobile app or follow @511WI on Twitter.

An excessive heat watch means that a prolonged period of hot temperatures is expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are possible.

Those most at risk of heat related illnesses are small children, the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions. “Check in on family, friends and neighbors, especially those who may be at risk,” urged David Maack, Racine County Emergency Management Coordinator.

Racine County Emergency Management is recommending that people take the following precautions to “Beat the Heat”:

1. Never leave children, disabled persons, or pets in a parked car – even briefly.  Temperatures in a car can become life threatening within minutes. On an 80-degree day with sunshine, the temperature inside a car even with the windows cracked slightly can rise 20 to 30 degrees above the outside temperature in 10 to 20 minutes. There have been cases where the inside temperature rose 40 degrees!

2. Keep your living space cool.  Cover windows to keep the sun from shining in.  If you don’t have an air conditioner, open windows to let air circulate.  When it’s hotter than 95 degrees use fans to blow hot air out of the window rather than to blow hot air on your body.  Basements or ground floors are often cooler than upper floors. 

3. Slow down and limit physical activity.  Plan outings or exertion for the early morning or after dark when temperatures are cooler. 

4. Drink plenty of water and eat lightly.  Don’t wait for thirst, but instead drink plenty of water throughout the day.  Avoid alcohol or caffeine and stay away from hot, heavy meals.  

5. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing.  Add a hat or umbrella to keep your head cool…and don’t forget sunscreen! 

6. Don’t stop taking medication unless your doctor says you should.  Take extra care to stay cool and ask your doctor or pharmacist for any special heat advice. 

7. Taking a cool shower or bath will cool you down.  A shower or bath will actually work faster than an air conditioner.  Applying cold wet rags to the neck, head and limbs also cools down the body quickly.

Finally, don’t forget about pets during periods of excessive heat.  “Dogs and cats don't perspire, they pant, and panting isn't very effective in extreme hot weather,” commented Maack.

If you have pets, please take the following precautions:

• Never leave an animal in a parked vehicle, even for a few minutes. The temperature in a parked car may hit 120 degrees within minutes, so just a 10-minute stop may be dangerous. Opening the windows a few inches doesn't provide enough cooling. If you're running errands, leave your dog home -- in a cool basement, or in a shaded yard with a wading pool. If you're traveling, make your pit stops at places where your pet can get out of the vehicle.

• Provide fresh, cool drinking water at all times -- including in your vehicle when you're traveling.

• Outdoor kennels must be well-ventilated and shaded, with water in bowls that will not tip.

• Don't exercise pets on hot days or warm, humid nights.

• Groom your pet. Clip long coats to about an inch -- shorter clips or shaving can leave dogs vulnerable to sunburn. Brush cats daily in hot weather, when they shed profusely, to help keep them comfortable by preventing hairballs. Good grooming can prevent summer skin problems, too.

To help Americans stay safe during extreme heat, FEMA urges residents to consider taking the following actions in affected areas:

• Postpone outdoor games and activities and limit exposure to the sun.


• Drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine; limit alcoholic beverage intake.


• Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothing.


• Spend the warmest part of the day in temperature-controlled buildings such as libraries, schools, movie theaters, shopping malls, or community facilities.


• Check on family, friends, and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend much of their time alone.

FEMA also urges residents to download and use the free FEMA app, which provides valuable safety tips to help families prepare for and recover from more than 20 natural and man-made hazards. The FEMA app enables users to receive weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations across the nation, making it easy to follow severe weather that may be threatening family and friends.  The app also provides family communication plans, customizable checklist of emergency supplies, and maps of open shelters and disaster recovery centers. The app is available on the Apple App Store and on Google Play.

Plan Ahead

Waukesha County residents are encouraged to plan ahead when extreme heat is on its way.

• Fans and air conditioners should be tested before extreme weather hits. These items often sell out quickly and take longer for stores to restock than a heat wave lasts.


• Stay hydrated throughout the day and limit physical activities in the heat.


• Residents who do not have access to air conditioning may seek relief in a cooling center.

Cooling Centers

Dozens of cooling centers and places to cool off are located in Waukesha County, such as libraries, malls, or senior dining centers.

• Members of the public may use Waukesha County ice arenas as cooling stations for free. The cost to skate is $6.50 for adults and $5.00 for seniors and children.


• Naga-Waukee Park Ice arena will extend its open skate hours on Thursday from 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm. (2699 Golf Rd, Delafield). Naga-Waukee is open Thursday 8am-10pm and Friday 10am-6pm with various activities to watch throughout the day.


• Eble Park Ice Arena (19400 W. Bluemound Rd. Brookfield) is open 9 am to 10 pm Thursday and Friday. Open skate is from noon to 2:00 pm.


• Retzer Nature Center’s Environmental Learning Center (S14W28167 Madison St., Waukesha) will be open from 8 am to 4:30 pm.


• Call 211 to locate a cooling center, and to see if transportation to the center is available.


• Head to www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/preparedness/cooling-sites.pdf for a list of cooling centers.

Requesting and Reporting Non-Emergency Information

Residents should only call 911 if they are experiencing an emergency situation that poses an immediate risk to health, life, property, or environment.

• Call 911 for anyone suffering the following symptoms related to heat stroke: headache, red & dry skin without sweating, a body temperature near 103 degrees, nausea or vomiting, a rapid pulse, a declining alert status or loss of consciousness.


• Pavement blow-outs are encouraged by extreme heat. Call 911 for any traffic hazards occurring on roadways or environmental dangers.


• Call the WCC Non-Emergency with requests for Police or Fire at 262-446-5070.


• Residents in need of information about non-emergency heat-related resources are encouraged to call 211. This information includes where to find cooling centers and whether transportation to cooling centers is available.


• Power outages that do not result in an emergency should be reported to WE Energies at 1-800-662-4797. Power outages that result in issues with medical equipment or produce smoking, arcing, or downed wires should be reported to 911.

Utility Service Disconnections

Consumers are reminded that Wisconsin law prevents a utility from disconnecting occupied dwelling units when a heat advisory, heat warning, or heat emergency is in effect.

• Utilities are required to make reasonable attempts to reconnect service that has been disconnected for nonpayment when there is a potential threat to health or life that results from the combination of the heat and loss of service.


• The utility may require that an occupant produce a licensed physician's statement or notice from a public health, social service, or law enforcement official.


• Contact the Public Service Commission Consumer Affairs at 1-800-225-7729 for more information about utility services. 

Wellness Checks

Certain populations are more vulnerable to health risks related to extreme heat, such as adults over 65; children younger than five; people with health issues such as chronic diseases, or who take certain medications; and individuals who work outside.

Extreme heat can be life threatening, and local social service agencies, like Hebron House of Hospitality, lead the way in providing emergency care.  The excessive heat wave predicted for the area over the next several days is expected to create a dangerous situation for anyone remaining outside for extended hours.

Kris Androsky, Executive Director for Hebron House of Hospitality knows that, “Extremely hot weather poses hardships for those who do not have a cool place to stay.  While the risk of heat illness for those outdoors depends upon the amount of exposure and the health of an individual,  Hebron House shelters are responding proactively by providing water and  respite from the dangerous heat.”

The prolonged period of hot temperatures is expected to hit Waukesha County Thursday afternoon through Friday evening with daytime highs in the mid 90’s. The heat and humidity will make conditions feel warmer than actual temperatures are.   People are advised to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room and out of the sun. Heat exhaustion, nausea, headaches, and confusion can swiftly lead to deadly heat stroke as the body loses the ability to regulate its temperature.

The Hebron House shelter at 812 N. East Ave and Jeremy Safe Haven at 1301 E. Moreland Blvd in Waukesha will both remain open all day Thursday and Friday as cooling zones for anyone needing help.

Risks associated with a heat wave include:

• Heat cramps:

This includes muscular pains and spasms resulting from heavy exertion. These symptoms are often the first signal that the body is suffering from excessive heat.

• Heat exhaustion:

This includes fainting, rash, fatigue, and nausea. Skin may become clammy and moist.

• Heat Stroke/ Sun Stroke

Symptoms include: hot, dry skin, the absence of sweat, nausea, confusion, and unconsciousness. This is a life-threatening condition.

To prevent risks from excessive heat, individuals should do the following:

• Seek air-conditioning: If your home does not have air-conditioning, seek areas that do – such as libraries, shopping malls, community/senior centers, grocery stores, movie theatres – during the warmest period of the day. If you must stay in a home without air-conditioning, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine.


• Avoid strenuous activities: This is particularly true during the hottest time of the day. Individuals who perform strenuous work during the heat of the day are especially at risk.


• Wear light-weight, light-colored clothing: Light colors reflect the sun’s rays better than dark colors, which absorb the heat. Protect the face and head with a wide-brimmed hat.


• Check on family members, neighbors, and friends who are vulnerable. Move them to air conditioned places if possible.


• Drink plenty of fluids: Increase fluid intake even if you are not thirsty.


• Never leave pets or people, especially children or infants, unattended in cars during a heat wave.

Walworth County Health Department would once again like to remind individuals that fans are available during hours of operation at the following locations while supplies last, limit one per household.

• Darien Public Library- 47 Park St, Darien


• Walworth Memorial Library- 525 Kenosha St, Walworth


• Aram Public Library- 404 E Walworth Ave, Delavan


• Irvin L. Young Memorial Library- 431 W Center St, Whitewater


• East Troy Village Hall - 2015 Energy Dr, East Troy


• University of Whitewater Anderson Library - 800 West Main Street, Whitewater


• Lake Geneva Public Library - 918 W Main St, Lake Geneva


• Barret Memorial Library- 65 W Geneva St, Williams Bay


• Matheson Memorial Library- 101 N Wisconsin St, Elkhorn

Below is a list of designated cooling sites around Walworth County.

• Darien
  
  
  
  • Darien Public Library- 47 Park Street
  
  
  • Senior Center – 47 Park Street
  
  
  
  


• Delavan
  
  
  
  • Aram Public Library – 404 E. Walworth Street
  
  
  
  


• Lake Geneva
  
  
  
  • Lake Geneva Public Library - 918 W Main Street
  
  
  • Town of Geneva Town Hall – 626 Geneva Street
  
  
  
  


• Walworth
  
  
  
  • Walworth Memorial Library- 525 Kenosha Street
  
  
  
  

• East Troy
  
  
  
  • East Troy Lions Public Library – 6094 E Graydon Ave
  
  
  
  


• Elkhorn
  
  
  
  • Matheson Memorial Library- 101 N Wisconsin Street
  
  
  
  

• Genoa City
  
  
  
  • City Hall – 716 Walworth Street
  
  
  • Genoa City Public Library – 126 Freeman Street
  
  
  
  


• Whitewater
  
  
  
  • University of Whitewater Anderson Library - 800 West Main Street
  
  
  • Irvin L. Young Memorial Library- 431 W Center Street
  
  
  
  


• Williams Bay
  
  
  
  • Barret Memorial Library- 65 W Geneva Street
  
  
  
  

If heat risks do occur, cool the body as soon as possible. For symptoms of heat exhaustion call your doctor. For symptoms of heat stroke, call 9-1-1.