Climate and Environmental Health

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  • Extreme Heat Education & Resources
  • Winter Storm / Extreme Cold Education & Resources
  • Be Prepared For Any Emergency!

The Town of Maynard's Public Health Division provides information and advice in response to climate and environmental health concerns. 

Extremes of weather and climate, including cold and heat, require serious planning and deliberate action. This page serves to collect helpful information, including tips and advice and sources, to help be prepared for change in climate and environmental concerns.

Extreme Heat Education & Resources:Summer Heat - Health Image

Be Prepared and Stay Safe During Extreme Heat:  

Extreme heat can be dangerous and even life-threatening if precautions are not taken. During prolonged periods of very hot weather, which may include high humidity, the body must work harder to stay cool, increasing the risk of heat-related illness.

 

Extreme Heat Safety Tips (mass.gov)

 

Beat the Heat – Staying Safe in Extreme Conditions (PHCC)

 

Explore guidance, tools, and resources to help you understand, prepare for, and stay safe during periods of extreme heat in MA (mass.gov)

 

Beat the Heat—Know Where to Cool Off

During periods of unhealthy heat, it’s important to know where you can go to cool off. Libraries, shopping centers, senior centers, and public pools, beaches and splash pads are common places to find relief from the heat. Dial 2-1-1 to find options near you.

 

Cool Off at DCR Pools, Beaches, and Spray Decks

Residents and visitors can cool off at the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) 79 waterfronts, 24 swimming pools, and 20 spray decks across the state. Lifeguards are on duty seven days a week at agency-managed swimming pools and 31 guarded waterfronts. For a list of DCR’s saltwater ocean beaches visit here, for the freshwater inland beaches visit here, and for a list of beaches that are accessible to people of all abilities visit here. All DCR swimming pools have chair lifts to provide access to the water. Several pools have ramps into the water or offer zero-depth entry and select pools and spray decks also have beach wheelchairs for use.  

  

Interactive Beach Water Quality Dashboard
Planning a beach day? Check water quality testing results to know if it's safe to swim.

 

Looking to stay cool this summer? Explore discounted or no-cost energy-efficient resources available to eligible Massachusetts households—including rebates on air conditioners, help with energy bills, and free home weatherization services. 

 

The unhealthy heat threshold in Massachusetts is when temperatures reach 85°F or higher for three days in a row. There is an increase in heat-related emergency room visits when this happens. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health's Unhealthy Heat Forecast page helps people prepare to stay safe from the heat by showing real-time temperature forecasts and when high temperatures pose a higher risk for vulnerable groups. These include children, older adults, and people with chronic medical conditions. The first heat wave of the season is the most dangerous. People need time to adapt to higher temperatures. Until our bodies adapt, we are at greater risk of heat-related illnesses. That’s why it’s critical to prepare early to stay cool and hydrated.

 

Winter Storm / Extreme Cold Education & Resources:thumbnail_image003

Be Prepared and Stay Safe During a Winter Storm or Extreme Cold:  


Be Prepared For Any Emergency!

Extreme Weather Fact Sheet

When faced with an emergency or disaster, it is easier to stay calm when you are prepared and know what to do. The below Emergency Supply Checklist was compiled through a grant-funded project aimed at emergency preparedness for senior citizens. While the checklist was made with seniors in mind, it could be used by anyone. Let this help you be better prepared.

Maynard Emergency Supply Checklist (PDF)