Community

Belmont County CARES urges seniors to stay safe during heat wave

ST. CLAIRSVILLE -- As a prolonged heat wave grips the region, Belmont County CARES Program Director Chad Zambori is urging older residents to take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses.

Zambori said older adults are among the groups most vulnerable as temperatures climb.

“They really don’t realize how quickly it can become dangerous and a medical emergency. So some of the things that we’re able to do is kind of guide them toward cooling centers that are set up through the Belmont County Emergency Management Agency throughout the county,” Zambori said. “We’re able to give them the phone numbers and locations for that if they call us and have any questions. We also let them know that there are several senior centers throughout the county that they’re able to go to get a little bit of relief there.”

Cooling centers in Belmont County include:

-- Shekinah Church, 145 W. Main St., Barnesville

-- Bellaire Salvation Army, 315 37th St., Bellaire

-- Belmont Gym, 209 Brown St., Belmont

-- Belmont United Methodist Church, 129 W. Market St., Belmont

-- Bethesda Village Community Room, 103 S. Main St., Bethesda

-- Spirit of 76 Fire Department, 53890 Key-Bellaire Road

-- Smith Township Fire Department, 46389 Firehouse St.

-- Colerain Fire Department, 72559 Colerain Road

-- Flushing Fire Department, 104 E. High St., Flushing

-- Holloway Volunteer Fire Department Hall, Main Street, Holloway

-- Martins Ferry Veterans Memorial Recreation Center, 401 S. Fourth St., Martins Ferry

-- Powhatan Point Church of the Nazarene, 100 Ohio 7 South, Powhatan Point

-- St. Clairsville Events Center, 104 Fair St., St. Clairsville

-- Shadyside Community Center, 50 E. 39th St., Shadyside

-- Somerton Fire Department, 55717 Washington St., Somerton

-- Somerton United Methodist Church, 55400 Washington St., Somerton

-- Sunset Heights Fire Department, 69604 Sunset Heights

-- Yorkville Fire Department, 139 Market St., Yorkville

In addition to directing residents to cooling centers, Zambori said the CARES program has standalone air conditioning units available on loan for eligible residents.

“There are requirements that go along with that. So not everybody may necessarily be eligible, but we do have some units left,” Zambori said. “They just have to call us and we make sure that everything lines up, and then basically they get it on loan for 90 days and it’s essentially returned after that. They just have to sign and state that they’ll maintain the unit and that’s pretty much it.”

Zambori said the air conditioners were purchased through a grant the program received several years ago.

To qualify, residents must be at least 60 years old, live in Belmont County and own their homes.

The Belmont County CARES Program can be reached at 740-695-5147.

Zambori also offered advice for staying safe during the extreme heat.

“Just stay hydrated, wear lightweight clothing, avoid strenuous activities during the hottest part of the day,” Zambori said. “Don’t hesitate to call 911 if someone becomes confused, faints, or has any difficulty waking up. Along with that, if you know an older adult who may be struggling in the heat, don’t assume someone else is checking on them. Just take a few minutes to make that call or stop by, and that could really make a difference.”