Many endure heat without air conditioning

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By KENDRA WALTKE / Lincoln Journal Star

With some of the hottest temperatures of the summer predicted for this weekend and early next week, many Lincoln area residents will probably retreat to their air-conditioned homes and emerge only when necessary.

But some residents don’t have that option.

An estimated 2 percent of Lincoln Electric System’s roughly 109,400 residential customers have no air-conditioning, according to a  survey taken three years ago, said Russ Reno, LES spokesperson.

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That means more than 2,000 households in Lincoln may lack air-conditioning.

Still others who do have air-conditioning available choose to not use it or don’t turn it cool enough to cope with the heat, especially if they are on a tight budget.

It’s a hardship that could have dire health consequences, and that has area social agencies worried.

The Salvation Army of Lincoln has given away 322 fans so far this summer, said Clarice Mackey, its director of family services. On Friday, only 30 or 40 remained. 

“I’m hoping we can get through the next few days,” Mackey said.

The Salvation Army, 2625 Potter St., will accept fans and cash to help buy fans.

Lincoln Action Program has given away more than 600 fans this summer and will buy more if necessary, said family services coordinator Diane Vesely-Robb.

Help with electricity bills is available to people facing disconnect notices, she said.

“We try to link them up so they can get service and maintain service,” she said.

Many of the people Mackey sees at the Salvation Army have air-conditioning but worry they can’t afford to keep it turned down low, she said.

Mackey said many people may look elsewhere for heat relief.

“They’ll go to a laundromat or grocery store or the mall for a while just to cool off a little bit,” she said.

That’s good advice, said Brian Baker of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, which recommends people visit a library or other cool public space, at least in the afternoon and early evening.

But not everyone can get out, Baker said.

“It’s really important to check on the elderly, people with chronic diseases and small children to make sure they’re doing all right,” he said.

“If you have friends or elderly neighbors or someone with multiple risk factors, like alcoholism or illness, you don’t want to leave them unattended for any length of time.”

He recommending calling and checking on such people often, even if they are lying down to take a nap.

Temperatures are expected to reach 98 degrees to 101 degrees Saturday and Sunday and stay in the mid- to upper 90s through Tuesday.

Because of high relative humidity, the heat index could hit 112 degrees. The index reflects how the body cannot cool itself as efficiently in humid conditions.

The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory through Sunday for the portion of Nebraska south of David City. It cautions that outdoor pets will need attention and people should limit time spent outdoors, drink plenty of water and dress for the weather.

“Check on your friends and neighbors,” Baker said. “We can’t say it enough, because it’s going to be a hot one.”

Reach Kendra Waltke at 473-7303 or kwaltke@journalstar.com.