Safety tips for hot days

Temperatures are forecasted to hit the 90s for the next couple of days. Here are some helpful tips from the Minnesota Department of Health to help you stay cool and stay safe.

If you have air conditioning

• Adjust the temperature level of your air conditioner to a higher setting. This will help prevent power outages. 
• Consider checking on your neighbors to make sure they are safe.

If you do NOT have air conditioning

• Fill your bathtub with cool water and soak in it to cool off.
• Visit public spaces like shopping centers or libraries that are air conditioned.

Extreme heat tips

Stay hydrated

• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, throughout the day.
• Do not wait until you are thirsty before you drink fluids, (unless you are advised to reduce fluid intake by your doctor).
• Avoid drinking alcohol.
• Avoid drinks that are high in sugar and caffeine.
• Avoid very cold drinks — they can cause stomach cramps.

Stay cool

• Visit air-conditioned places (e.g., malls, libraries) if your home is hot.
• Do not use electric fans to cool yourself when the temperature reaches the high 90’s and above — blowing air onto your body that is higher than your body temperature can actually increase heat stress.
• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• Avoid exercising outdoors during the hottest hours of the day (usually between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.).
• Take a cool shower or bath.

Stay informed

• Listen daily to the local news for the weather forecast and adjust activities as necessary to stay safe in the heat.
• Know the symptoms of heat-related illnesses; be prepared to carry out safety measures and first aid
• Get health and safety information from your local public health department.
  
  

Due to the current drought conditions in Minnesota, the City of Bloomington has implemented water use restrictions for all residents and businesses. Thank you for helping conserve valuable water resources.

When watering restrictions are in place ...

Sprinkling lawns is not allowed from noon to 6 p.m. on any day. 

On even-numbered days, only lawns on properties with even-numbered addresses may be watered. Watering is not allowed between noon and 6 p.m. 

Example: a resident at 9204 Example Street may water their lawn during the allowed hours on even-numbered days like July 10. 

On odd-numbered days, only lawns on properties with odd-numbered addresses may be watered. Watering is not allowed between noon and 6 p.m. 

Example: a resident at 9205 Example Street may water their lawn during the allowed hours on odd-numbered days like July 11. 

Exceptions

• Bushes and flowers may be watered with a handheld hose as needed.
• Trees may be watered with a dripping hose, bucket or tree watering bag as needed.
• Vegetable gardens and new sod (first two weeks from placement) may be watered on any day, but not during the prohibited afternoon hours of noon to 6 p.m.

Enforcement

• Enforcement will include a written warning followed by a $25 fine applied to the utility bill.

Conditions resulting in watering restrictions

• A water use emergency may be declared in response to ongoing drought conditions.
• Cities are required to enact watering restrictions when the Minnesota DNR enacts its drought action plan.
• Water restrictions may also be imposed by the City of Bloomington when necessary to support its water utility operations.

Water conservation

Please continue to use water wisely indoors and outdoors by following these simple tips.

Inside conservation

• Run only a fully loaded dishwasher or washing machine.
• When hand washing dishes, use one sink basin for washing and one for rinsing.
• Keep drinking water cold by storing a pitcher of water in the refrigerator.
• Repair leaky faucets. Replace worn washers, the common source of leaks.
• On older toilets, fill a plastic bottle with water, seal the lid and drop it in your toilet tank to save approximately two gallons per flush.
• Turn off the water while you brush your teeth with toothpaste. Turn it on again to rinse.
• Don't stay in the shower longer than you need to. Turn off the water while you soap up.

Outside conservation

• Follow the current lawn sprinkling restrictions.
• Make sure you aren't watering the street or sidewalk.
• Maintain a lawn height of two-and-one-half to three inches. This helps protect the roots from loss of moisture through evaporation.
• Aerate clay soils at least once a year to help the soil retain moisture.
• Mulch around plants, bushes and trees. This encourages healthy roots while maintaining root moisture.
• Collect rainwater. Water your garden and houseplants with it.