Mecklenburg County Offers Free Box Fans For Seniors, Disabled

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, NC — As temperatures rise around the region, Mecklenburg County is offering help to keep cool to senior citizens and adults receiving disability income this summer.

Through a Duke Energy Carolinas grant, the county Park and Recreation department is offering eligible county residents free box fans.

To receive a fan, participants must pre-register online for a date and time to pick one up at one of seven locations in the county. Walk-ups will not be allowed, organizers said. Each participant may receive one fan.

Participants in the program must also present photo identification that includes date of birth and current residential address.

Pre-registration for the Senior Fan Program may be completed online here or by calling a county recreation center.

Senior Fan Program pick up locations:

• Albemarle Road Recreation Center, 5027 Idlewild Road North, Mint Hill, NC 28227 Phone: 980-314-1101
• Bette Rae Thomas Center, 2921 Tuckaseegee Road, Charlotte, NC 28208 Phone: 980-314-1111
• David B Waymer Rec/Senior Center, 14008 Holbrooks Road, Huntersville, NC 28079 Phone: 980-314-1127
• Eastway Regional Rec Center, 3150 Eastway Park Drive, Charlotte, NC 28213 Phone: 980-314-3772
• Mallard Creek Recreation Center, 2530 Johnston-Oehler Road, Charlotte, NC 28269 Phone: 980-314-1121
• Southview Recreation Center, 1720 Vilma Street, Charlotte, NC 28208 Phone: 980-314-1105
• Tyvola Senior Center, 2225 Tyvola Road, Charlotte, NC 28210 Phone: 980-314-1320

The program runs through Aug. 20.

Hot Weather Tips

Here are hot weather tips from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services:

• Talk with your doctor and be aware of the medications you take and know for example that painkillers can reduce awareness of the heat and diuretics, which promote fluid loss, can lead to dehydration more often during hot weather.
• Cool off by taking baths or showers, or placing ice bags or wet towels on the body
• Stay out of direct sunlight, put shades over the windows, and use cross-ventilation and fans to cool rooms
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing that permits sweat to evaporate
• Drink plenty of liquids such as water, fruit, or vegetable juices and iced tea to replace the fluids lost by sweating. As a person ages, thirst declines. Limit intake of alcoholic beverages or fluids that have too much salt, since it can complicate existing medical problems, such as high blood pressure
• Eat small meals, and eat more often and avoid foods that are high in protein, which increases metabolic (body) heat
• Keep your medicines in a cool, dry place
• Check up on friends or neighbors who live alone
• This can also be a good time to join your local senior center or take advantage of buildings made accessible to seniors during excessive heat.
• Take the heat seriously and do not ignore danger signs like nausea, dizziness or lightheadedness, fatigue, confusion, labored breathing, chest discomfort and rapid or erratic pulse. They can all be signs of trouble. Get to a cool place, drink cool water slowly and seek medical help if conditions don’t improve.

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