County reminds residents of summer’s Heat Plan

MEDIA >> Oppressive hot and humid weather is here and more is on the way. Delaware County reminds residents of the County’s Heat Plan which includes tips and resources that the county offers to help vulnerable residents, particularly the elderly, stay safe during the hot summer season.

In developing the plan, the County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) and the Department of Human Services hope to be proactive when it comes to the health and safety of residents.

Residents are urged to visit the county’s website at www.delcopa.gov/ich/resources/heatadvisory. html to read the 2019 Heat Plan and learn about the resources the county provides. Residents should take precautions during heat waves and high humidity, check in with elderly and disabled family members and neighbors who are at greater risk for heat-related illnesses.

The Heat Plan includes a Heat Information Line, extended hours at Senior Centers, and educational information on heat safety and the safe use of fans. COSA purchased several hundred cooling fans and 100 fans were donated by PECO, which were delivered to the county’s eight senior centers for distribution to seniors. A fan creates air flow which helps the body evaporate sweat and cool down.

The Heat Plan calls for senior centers and adult day care centers to extend their hours, to offer water and non-caffeinated beverages throughout the day and to check in with their clients. Care managers are asked to identify at-risk clients who are homebound, living alone or have a prior history of inadequate cooling in their home.

The Heat Plan also includes tips such as staying hydrated and being aware of symptoms of heat exhaustion. Residents are urged to stay hydrated. Dehydration can have a major impact on people, especially the elderly, often causing confusion. People who work outside should be aware of the symptoms of heat stroke and heat exhaustion. The highest number of heat-related deaths are among men in their 50s and 60s.

It is also important to remember the safety of pets during the warmer, more humid months as animals respond differently to heat. If the humidity is too high, they are unable to cool themselves, and their temperature can skyrocket to dangerous levels — very quickly. Residents are reminded to not leave anyone in a car, including pets.

COSA’s Heat Information Line at 610-872-1558 is a recorded 24-hour phone service that runs June 1 through September 30, providing residents with heat advisory updates and information. People who need additional assistance can contact a COSA’s Information and Assistance service at 610-490-1300.

Job Fair offers opportunities for employers and employees

The Delaware County Workforce Development Board is assisting Philadelphia Works with a job fair for impacted Hahnemann University Hospital employees. The job fair is scheduled for noon to 6 p.m. Thursday, July 25, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Employers who wish to participate and find qualified employees from this large pool of talented workers are encouraged to contact Tim Smith at tsmith@philaworks.org to register.

Pop-up auction benefits Helen Kate Furness Free Library

A Pop-Up Auction at the Helen Kate Furness Free Library is offering a variety of goods, including some Eagles and Phillies swag, on which the public can place bids. All proceeds will benefit the library. Items are on display by the circulation desk and full descriptions are available at www.hkflibrary.org/whats-poppingat-the-library. Everyone is welcome to pop by the library or call 610-566-9331 to place their bids. Bidding is open now through Thursday, Aug. 1, at 7 p.m. The library is at 100 Providence Road, Wallingford.

Elderly Springfield homeowners receive help to pay school taxes

Springfield Fund For The Elderly is a nonprofit corporation which provides assistance to senior citizens residing in Springfield with their school property tax bills. The organization is now accepting applications for

2019. Eligible seniors will receive a rebate. In order to be eligible, a senior must live in Springfield, own their home, and have applied for and received the 2019 State Property Tax Rebate.

Those who qualify, may forward a copy of their

2017 State Property Tax rebate check or receipt of direct deposit to: Springfield Fund For The Elderly, 148 S. Norwinden Road, Springfield, PA

19064.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Springfield Lions Club members, along with volunteers from the Aston Lions and South Philadelphia Lions club, escorted 35 blind campers from the Philadelphia and Allentown areas to the PA Lions’ owned Beacon Lodge for the Blind last Saturday. Beacon Lodge is located along the Juniata river in Mt. Union, Pa. The Lions and campers were treated to lunch after arriving in camp prepared by the Allenport Lions Club. The campers will be escorted home by the Lions in ten days.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Jodi Dawes, left, has been named the new director of Wallingford Co-op Nursery School. The school is affiliated with Wallingford Presbyterian Church. A member of the staff since 2008, Dawes teaches the two/three day a week class of three-year-old children. She is a graduate of Bucknell University with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education, subsequently earning a Master of Education in Elementary School Counseling from West Chester University. She is replacing Georgie Perullo, right, who accepted a post in the admissions office at Devon Prep. The academic year may seem in the distance, but Wallingford Co-op Nursery School (WCNS) is making plans for the fall. For more information, call 610-891-9165 or visit www.wallingfordcoop.org/.