Temps to Soar: Here's What To Do

The afternoon and evening on both Wednesday and Thursday are forecast to be very hot in the New York metropolitan area, with bad air to boot in southern Connecticut, but there are ways you can keep a little cooler.

From 11 a.m. Wednesday to 11 p.m., the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has issued an Air Quality Alert, also known as an "Air Quality Action Day," for southern Connecticut.

The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for the metropolitan area from noon Wednesday through 8 p.m. Thursday. Although the thermometer will only go up to the low 90s, humidity will bring the heat index up to somewhere between 100 and 105 degrees—meaning it will feel that hot.

The weather service's specific forecast for Darien calls for a high of 91 degrees on Wednesday, dipping down to 72 degrees Wednesday night, and then a high of 93 degrees on Thursday, going down to 73 degrees Thursday night. Friday's high is expected to be 88 degrees. (This information is from the 6:47 a.m. forecast.)

What to do

The weather service has these recommendations for you if you need to be outside for work or some other reason:

• "Reschedule strenuous activities for early morning or evening."

• "Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke."

• "Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible."

• "Drink plenty of water."

The state DEEP has these suggestions (the following, including all the bullet points, is a direct quote from a Tuesday news release):

The Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection offer the following tips during extreme high temperatures:

• Slow down, and avoid strenuous activity.
• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect heat and sunlight and help maintain normal body temperature. Protect your face with a wide-brimmed hat.
• Drink plenty of water regularly and often, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
• Limit intake of alcoholic beverages. They can actually dehydrate your body.
• Eat well-balanced, light, regular meals.
• Stay indoors as much as possible.
• If you do not have air conditioning, stay on your lowest floor, out of the sun. Electric fans do not cool the air, but they do help evaporate sweat, which cools your body.
• Go to a place where you can get relief from the heat, such as air conditioned schools, libraries, theaters, shopping malls, and other community facilities that may offer refuge during the warmest times of the day.
• Cover windows that get morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings or louvers. Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 80 percent
• Avoid too much sunshine. Sunburn slows the skin’s ability to cool itself. If you are outside, use sunscreen with a high SPF (Sun Protection Factor) rating.
• Never leave children or pets alone in a closed vehicle.
• Do not leave pets outside for extended periods. Make sure pets have plenty of drinking water.
• Check on family, friends, and neighbors regularly.

For saving some money on your electricity bill during a heat wave, .