With extreme heat on its way, authorities offer ways to stay cool, safe

The next several days in Middle Tennessee would be a good time to finish that interior home project, catch up on a few movies or finish that novel you’ve been working on … anything, really, to avoid the expected heat.

The National Weather Service in Nashville is predicting that from Thursday through early next week the high temperatures may exceed 100 degrees, and agencies from the Metro Office of Emergency Management to the state Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry are issuing warnings and precautions ahead of the heat wave.

According to the NWS, “a hot, dry air mass will stay locked in over Middle Tennessee into next week. Location west of the Cumberland Plateau will see Temperatures approach or exceed 100 degrees every day from Thursday through Tuesday, with daily heat indices topping out at 100 to 105 degrees.”

As of Wednesday, the latest U.S. Drought Monitor map on the NWS website showed that areas in Middle Tennessee were either in the abnormally dry or moderate drought range.

The Nashville Fire Department on Tuesday warned Davidson County residents against carelessly disposing of lit cigarettes on the ground and urged the public to avoid any burning, even small grill fires, if possible. The Division of Forestry also urged the public to avoid burning debris and other activities that include fire until the state gets some significant rainfall. For fire prevention tips, click here.

On Wednesday, OEM released information on fighting the heat. Those include:

• Stay cool and hydrated, avoiding alcohol and caffeinated beverages.
• Use swimming pools and other water areas.
• The elderly and young children should limit their exposure to heat. Offer plenty of liquids to drink, keep them in the shade and/or in air conditioning, and take care not to overdress them.
• Check on elderly relatives or neighbors to ensure they are staying cool and have access to air conditioning.
• Get out of the heat and take advantage of air-conditioned facilities. Avoid direct sunlight when possible.
• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• Do not leave anyone inside a hot car, especially young children, and including pets.
• Keep pets cool and hydrated, especially during peak daytime hours.

OEM also suggested finding public areas to get inside when possible: Those include any of Metro’s park facilities and community centers during regular hours. More information about the centers is online here.

Other areas to beat the heat include the Nashville Farmer’s Market, which is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 900 Rosa Parks Blvd. The Salvation Army — starting Thursday, June 28, and continuing through Tuesday, July 3 — will have a water station under the Jefferson Street Bridge for the homeless community. Also, from now on The Salvation Army plans to be at the bridge anytime the temperature is 100 degrees or hotter, or if a Heat Advisory is issued.

The Nashville Rescue Mission’s men’s and women’s shelters will serve as cooling centers for those that need it, and the mission’s “Hot Patrol” will be handing out water and doing welfare checks anytime it gets 90 degrees or higher.

The Metro Action Commission can provide assistance obtaining air conditioning to Davidson County residents who are 62 or older, disabled or have a medical issue requiring a cool environment. For help, call 615-862-8860, ext. 70100 or 70120.

The MAC is also looking for monetary donations or air conditioning units to assist with this program. Those interested in helping should call 615-862-8860, ext. 70120.

For additional information on finding places to go to stay cool, recognizing heat-related illnesses and conserving energy during extreme heat click here.