| Updated: 6/27/2012 11:16 am |
Published: 6/27/2012 11:15 am
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Tulsa’s Heat Coalition urges Tulsans to take precautions during the heat wave currently in Tulsa and in coming summer weeks.
The Emergency Medical Services Authority is making multiple heat-related runs daily to treat people for heat exhaustion and heat stroke. EMSA and the National Weather Service have issued three heat alerts already this summer.
The Tulsa Human Response Coalition, which loans air conditioners to qualified area residents, has been placing units in homes since early May and the demand is increasing. They urge people to make face-to-face checks on neighbors and friends during extreme heat periods.
Tulsa’s daily water consumption is exceeding normal summer levels. Tulsans used 164 million gallons Monday. Last year, the highest consumption day in June was 151 million gallons.
In August of last year, Tulsa asked residents to voluntarily reduce water consumption for non-essential purposes. Voluntary restrictions are automatically triggered when consumption reaches 94 percent of the production capacity of the city’s water treatment plants.
Public Service Co. of Oklahoma urged area residents not to risk health or safety by turning off air conditioners during extreme summer heat. PSO urged customers concerned with their summer electric bills to contact PSO’s customer service to discuss payment options. A PSO spokesperson said the demand for electricity is already reaching high thresholds.
The Heat Coalition urged Tulsans who need shelter from the heat to visit either of two cooling stations. One is at the Salvation Army’s Center of Hope, 102 N. Denver Ave. The other is at the Tulsa County Social Services facility at 2401 W. Charles Page Blvd. Libraries, malls and other such facilities can also offer area residents temporary relief from heat.
Emergency medical services for heat-related issues can be obtained by calling 9-1-1. Information about other assistance programs can be obtained by calling 2-1-1.
