Hundreds of fans distributed to senior citizens for extreme heat

EDDYSTONE, Pa. (WPVI) -- The heat and humidity were on the rise Tuesday bringing strong storms to the area.

300 hundred fans were loaded up in the morning at Delaware County's Office of Services for the Aging (COSA) in Eddystone.

They headed out to eight senior centers across the county. The fans are part of the county heat plan, a coordinated effort through multiple agencies to keep residents safe as the temperatures soar this summer.

PECO donated 100 of these fans and have fan giveaways across the five county area. COSA ensures there's educational brochures to go along with each fan.

"We actually give a handout that goes with each fan so that people understand that you must have the proper ventilation in your home - at least the window open while you're running the fan - because if you don't it actually creates a convection oven effect," said COSA Director, Denise Stewart.

"Primarily our seniors, they have a tendency to not want to run up their bills and they're concerned with teh cost, so we're trying to provide fans for comfort for the residents," said Ralph Brown from PECO.

The plan includes extended hours at senior centers and shelters, home checks for vulnerable residents and outreach teams to target the areas homeless population.

Councilman John McBlain says while they often speak about the dangers of extreme heat for the elderly, the very young, and people with health conditions, the message is important for everybody.

"The number of heat related deaths has been on the rise, especially for men in their 50s and 60s. So it's not just kids, it spans the gender and age all over. Everybody needs to be aware," he said.

To find out more about current heat advisories and information, contact the Heat Information Line at (610) 872-1558.

If you need additional assistance, contact a COSA staff member by calling the Information and Assistance service at (610) 490-1300.