Rockland County DOH Shares Tips On How To Stay Cool In The Heat And Humidity

Published

2 years ago

June 20, 2024

Rockland County Department of Health urges residents to take these simple steps to stay cool and help prevent heat-related illnesses:

Use air-conditioning to cool down. Stay indoors in a place with working air conditioning. If you do not have air conditioning at home, spend time in air-conditioned places such as libraries, movies, malls, or other public buildings during the hottest hours of the day. Cooling centers are places where people may go to cool down during hot weather. You can call your town or village for a list of cooling centers near you. Before going to a cooling center, it’s important to call ahead to make sure it’s open, as some cooling centers are only open during regular business hours and during officially declared heat emergencies and extreme heat events.
Drink plenty of fluids. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink more fluids. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and sugary drinks. If your doctor generally limits the amount you drink or has you on water pills, ask how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
Beat the heat with cool showers and baths.
Stay out of the sun as much as possible. Avoid activities that involve a lot of energy or effort during the hottest part of the day, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., and take many breaks from physical activity.
Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing to help keep cool.
Wear sunscreen and a ventilated hat (such as straw or mesh) when outside in the sun and even when it is cloudy.
Talk to your healthcare provider about any medicine or drugs you take. Certain medications can increase the risk of heat-related illness. These medications affect the body’s ability to sweat and stay cool. Do NOT stop taking medication unless instructed to do so by your doctor.
Never leave children, pets, or those with special needs in a parked car, even briefly. Even with a window cracked open, temperatures in the car can become dangerous within a few minutes. Always check that no one is left inside your vehicle before locking it up.
Keep your pets safe. Asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet’s paws, so walk your dog on the grass if possible, and bring lots of water on walks.
Check in on your family, friends, and neighbors. Heat and humidity can be dangerous for anyone, especially older adults, young children, and those with chronic medical conditions such as heart and breathing or lung problems.
Check the Air Quality Index to find out how clean or polluted your air is, what associated health effects might be a concern for you, and whether you need to limit outdoor activities. Rockland County is considered part of the NYC Metro region. If you would like to get air quality notifications, sign up for Enviroflash.

For more information about keeping cool in the summer heat, visit the New York State Department of Health.

Domestic Violence Can Take Many Forms — Here’s Where to Get Help

Published

1 week ago

October 4, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

Domestic Violence Can Take Many Forms: Resources Are Available

Domestic violence is not limited to physical or sexual abuse. It can also include psychological and emotional abuse, threats, intimidation, manipulation, and economic coercion.

Abusers may use a variety of tactics to frighten, manipulate, isolate, blame or harm victims as a way of maintaining power and control.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or abuse, help is available. You are not alone.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

Domestic Violence Resources

Rockland County Center for Safety and Change
Hotline: 845-634-3344
Website: centerforsafetyandchange.org

The Center for Safety and Change provides support and resources for individuals and families affected by domestic violence and other forms of abuse.

New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence
Hotline: 1-800-942-6906
Website: opdv.ny.gov

The New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence provides information, assistance and resources related to domestic violence throughout New York.

National Domestic Violence Hotline
Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Website: thehotline.org

The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides confidential support, information and resources for people experiencing domestic violence, as well as friends and family members seeking guidance.

If you or someone you know is being abused, reaching out for help can be an important first step. If there is an immediate threat to your safety, call 911.

Rockland County Residents Urged to Check for Water Leaks

Published

2 weeks ago

September 28, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

A simple home water audit can help residents find hidden leaks, reduce water waste and lower household utility bills.

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — The Rockland County Water Advisory Council is encouraging residents to conduct a simple home water audit to identify hidden leaks, improve water efficiency, reduce utility costs and help protect the county’s long-term water resources.

While homeowners often focus on conserving water outdoors during the summer, indoor water use can account for a significant portion of a household’s overall water consumption. Small leaks, aging plumbing fixtures and inefficient appliances can waste thousands of gallons of water each year without being noticed.

A home water audit can help residents identify where water is being wasted and find opportunities to conserve.

Four Simple Ways to Check Your Home

The Water Advisory Council recommends that residents start by:

Checking the water meter: Make sure no water is being used in the home, then check the meter. Movement may indicate a hidden leak.
Testing toilets for leaks: Use dye tablets to check for silent toilet leaks that may otherwise go unnoticed.
Upgrading plumbing fixtures: Consider replacing older fixtures with WaterSense®-labeled products, which are designed to use less water while maintaining performance.
Inspecting irrigation systems: Check outdoor irrigation equipment for leaks, broken sprinkler heads and other problems that can waste hundreds of gallons of water during the summer.

Free Water Conservation Resources Available

Rockland County residents can also access resources designed to make water conservation easier.

Residents can visit EPA WaterSense for information about saving water at home and use educational materials available through the Rockland County Water Hero program.

Rebates are also available through Veolia for qualifying WaterSense® products. Eligible products may include select toilets, showerheads, clothes washers, irrigation controllers and rain barrels.

The Water Advisory Council is also offering free water conservation tools, including:

Shower timers
Toilet leak-detection tablets
Moisture meters

Supplies are limited. Residents can pick up the tools at the Water Advisory Council office, find them at community events, or request them by signing up to become an H2O Hero through the Rockland Water Hero program. Visit Rockland Water Hero

The Rockland County Water Conservation Project is funded by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.