By Alexis Neely
As temperatures climb in Washington, DC this summer, the need to stay cool and safe is important for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Summer heat can be deceivingly dangerous and a time when people often overlook safety issues, said the DowntownDC Business Improvement District’s (BID) Director of Homeless Services Linda Kaufman.
“Everyone’s organized around winter time,” Kaufman said. “It’s cold. ‘Let’s get out the blankets and let’s make sure that everyone is okay.’ But the truth is, there are more weather-related deaths by heat than there are by cold.”
When it comes to what factors will keep someone alive in a heat-related emergency, Kaufman said studies have shown stunning results.
“It’s not a fan, it’s not an air conditioner,” she said. “The most predictive factor for people surviving heat waves is that they have community connections. I feel like that’s one of the things we can do here in downtown for people who are on the street, is to make sure they’re connected.”
High heat and humidity can cause health issues such as heat exhaustion and stroke. To combat this, the District will implement an emergency plan when the heat index reaches 95 degrees, including opening facilities that can be used to get relief from the heat.
[Click here to access the 2018 Heat Emergency Plan]
This includes shelters, pools, spray parks and libraries. These “cooling centers” will be open until 6 pm, or until a time specified by individual facilities.
Two centers will be located in DowntownDC — the Judiciary Square building at 441 4th Street NW and the Patricia Handy Public Place for Women at 810 5th Street NW. There, individuals can have a drink and cool off in air conditioning.
Kaufman encourages the public to help individuals who may be at risk. Medications and/or medical conditions can affect a person’s “thermostat,” where the individual may not notice they’re overheated and sweating, but they are still placing themselves in grave danger.
What should you do if you suspect someone in danger of heat distress? For situations of moderate concern, contact the BID’s dispatch by phone at (202)-624-1550 or email at dispatch@downtowndc.org. For urgent situations or individuals who are unresponsive, call 911.