by KYW's Brad Segall
Excessive heat watches are expected in the Philadelphia area this weekend, and area officials were trying to help senior citizens cope with the hot weather. Free window fans were being offered to the elderly in both Philadelphia and Chester County.
Chester County commissioner Carol Aichele says they have hundreds of fans to hand out to seniors who have no other way to cool their homes. Those fans can be picked up at any one of the county’s six senior centers, or they’ll deliver one to your home if you don’t have transportation.
Aichele says seniors are sometimes hesitant to call, but with temperatures in the 90s it’s no time to be shy:
"Senior citizens seem to be most vulnerable to heat-related injury, and oftentimes they’re reluctant to ask for help. But in this case we have the help available.”
And when using a fan, she adds, remember to leave a window or door open to circulate the air.
In addition to the fan program, the county has a “call care” program where seniors who live alone can ask to have someone call them twice a day to make sure they are okay.
For information on both Chester County programs call 610-344-6350.
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