The temperature hit 101 degrees in the shade in Salem at 12:30 p.m. yesterday, making for a hot and muggy North Shore.
Communities kept senior centers open late and encouraged people to stay indoors and avoid strenuous activity, as residents experienced the third consecutive day of temperatures over 90 degrees.
"On July 4, it hit 95 degrees," Salem meteorologist Arthur Francis said. "On the 5th, it hit 92, and (yesterday) it was 101. It's our first official heat wave."
The Beverly Hospital emergency room treated several people for heat exhaustion yesterday.
"We had one person who attempted to play golf, and someone else who was outside in the heat because of his job," said Dr. Sandra Wozniak, chief of the emergency departments for Northeast Health System.
In Salem, the Senior Center and the pool at Forest River Park were both open until 8 p.m., and the pool will be open until 8 p.m. today, as well.
"The pool has been crazy," said Doug Bollen, Salem Park and Recreation director. "We had big numbers (Monday and Tuesday), and it appears to be busy at the beaches."
In Danvers, Town Hall workers were sent home at noon yesterday because the cooling and ventilation system wasn't working. The system was part of a $6.4 million renovation to Town Hall that wrapped up earlier this year.
"Here, we are in the first big heat wave. ... The air conditioning wasn't working, and the air change feature of the system wasn't working, either," Town Manager Wayne Marquis said. "With neither one working, the decision was made, 'Let's close Town Hall and let employees go home.'"
Marquis said the system was being repaired, and he expected that Town Hall will reopen today.
"It's a brand-new system, so of course it's under full warranty," he said.
At the Peabody senior center, 135 people turned up for lunch yesterday, and the center stayed open until 8 p.m. for residents in need of relief from the heat.
"We had 135 people for lunch, which is a lot for us on a Tuesday," said Catherine Tassinari, office manager for the Peabody Council on Aging at the Torigian Community Life Center. "People can come here so they're not cooking at home and have a cool place to be and to just relax."
Arthur Durkin, nurse manager of the Salem Hospital emergency department, said elderly residents and children are most susceptible to extreme heat.
"They are most at risk for dehydration," Durkin said.
"The elderly have trouble maintaining their body temperature and are more likely to be sensitive to changes in ambient temperature," Wozniak said. "Also, medications make it harder to adjust to the heat, and the elderly tend to be on more medications."
Symptoms of dehydration include dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, nausea, an increased heart rate with very little exertion and decreased urination.
If people experience those symptoms, they should "get out of the sun, get into a cool spot with a fan or air conditioning, and hydrate with fluids," Durkin said.
Francis, a weather and climate consultant at Salem State College, said yesterday's temperature did not break the record for July. Since he began recording Salem weather in 1976, the temperature had broken 100 degrees in July nine times before yesterday, most recently in 1999.
Francis said the forecast promises some relief for the rest of the week:
"It looks like we'll be blessed with a little sea breeze along the coast and temperatures in the 80s."
Staff writer Amanda McGregor can be reached at amcgregor@salemnews.com.
Stay safe in the heat
Drink a lot of water and hydrating fluids
Avoid strenuous activity and sports activities in the extreme heat and sun
Wear loose, light-colored clothing
Use sunscreen and wear wide-brim hats in the sun
Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages
Check on elderly friends and relatives, especially those without air conditioning
Stay indoors, preferably in an air-conditioned area or with fans
If there are multiple floors in your house, stay on the first floor because heat rises
Pools or splash pads are a great place for children to cool off
Sources: Dr. Sandra Wozniak, Arthur Durkin, R.N.
Signs of heat exhaustion
Weakness
Dizziness
Muscle cramps
Nausea
Headache
Decreased urination or dark urine
Sources: Dr. Sandra Wozniak, Arthur Durkin, R.N.
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