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Extreme Heat Forecasted – Know the signs of heat-related illness and be a heat helper

A heat wave is expected in Massachusetts over the next seven days. 

Learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness to help prepare your patients and communities at higher risk of heat-related illness.

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

Did you know?

·         Signs of heat-related illness include feeling dizzy, dehydration, headaches, muscle cramps, difficulty focusing, increased irritability and more.

·         Heat-related illnesses range from mild to life-threatening and can worsen common conditions affecting the heart, lungs, mind, and kidneys.

·         While anyone can be affected, older adults, young children, pregnant individuals, workers exposed to excessive heat, and people with chronic medical conditions are especially vulnerable. 

Encouraging preventive steps—like staying hydrated, avoiding strenuous activity, and seeking cooler environments—can help protect your patients and community members during periods of extreme heat.

Encourage your patients and communities to be heat helpers by:

·         Learning the signs and symptoms of heat related illness

·         Checking on neighbors, older adults, people living alone, and anyone without air conditioning

·         Helping friends and family get to a cooler space

·         Sharing heat alerts with their community

·         Encouraging people to drink water regularly, even if they don’t feel thirsty 

Below is a collection of links and resources, available in multiple languages, focused on high-risk populations, health hazards associated with extreme heat, response strategies, and tools to support effective planning and communication.

H.E.A.T. Resources

  • Extreme Heat: A central hub for resources, tools, and guidance to stay safe during periods of extreme heat.
  • Unhealthy Heat Forecast: Track upcoming heat conditions in your community with a 7-day forecast and color-coded risk levels.
  • Community Heat Resources: Find heat safety tips, shareable multilingual outreach materials, and key state resources to help residents and communities prepare for extreme heat and stay safe.
  • Unhealthy Heat Action Toolkit: A downloadable toolkit with ready-to-use social media posts, messages, and other resources to help organizations share heat safety information and promote action during periods of unhealthy heat.
  • Celebrate Safely – Heat and Health Tips for Watch Parties and Summer Events: A collection of safety tips, guidance, and shareable materials to help people prepare for and stay safe during summer events and hot weather.
  • Heat resources and guidance: Clear, targeted fact sheets for specific settings and populations vulnerable to extreme heat.
  • August 4, 2026 in News

Town of Merrimac, MA Town Seal

Air Quality Alert – July 15–16, 2026

Air Quality Alert
Effective: Now through 12:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 16, 2026
Location: Statewide

Due to smoke from Canadian wildfires impacting Massachusetts, MassDEP has issued a statewide Air Quality Alert. Elevated levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are expected to result in unhealthy air quality for sensitive groups.

Sensitive groups include:

  • People with heart or lung disease (including asthma)
  • Older adults
  • Children and teenagers
  • People who are active outdoors

Individuals in these groups should:

  • Reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor activity.
  • Take more frequent breaks and choose less strenuous activities.
  • Follow asthma action plans and keep quick-relief medication readily available.
  • Monitor for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath.

Residents are encouraged to stay informed by visiting MassAir Online, where you can view current air quality conditions, forecasts, and real-time monitoring data.

Please take appropriate precautions and check on family members, neighbors, and others who may be more vulnerable to poor air.

  • July 16, 2026 in News

ROAD WORK 7/14 & 7/15: Liberty, Mechanic, Judkins Court, Railroad Ave & Locust Street

On 7/14 & 7/15, weather permitting, the Town’s paving contractor will continue work on Liberty, Mechanic, Judkins Court, Railroad Ave & Locust Street.

No Parking will be permitted on these streets while work is underway. Motorists should expect temporary road closures, detours, and limited access throughout the workday. Local traffic will be accommodated whenever it is safe to do so.

  • July 9, 2026 in News

ROAD WORK – Beginning 7/9/2026 – Liberty, Mechanic, Judkins Court & Locust Street

Beginning tomorrow morning, Thursday, July 9, the Town’s paving contractor will begin grinding the existing pavement in preparation for final paving. Work will begin on Liberty Street and Mechanic Street, followed by Judkins Court, Railroad Avenue, and Locust Street. Grinding operations are expected to be completed on Thursday and Friday, weather permitting.

No Parking will be permitted on these streets while work is underway. Motorists should expect temporary road closures, detours, and limited access throughout the workday. Local traffic will be accommodated whenever it is safe to do so.

  • July 8, 2026 in News

The Town of Merrimac Urges Residents to Be Prepared for Upcoming Heat Wave

As Massachusetts experiences extreme heat this week, the Town of Merrimac encourages residents to take precautions to stay safe.

Staying properly hydrated is one of the most important ways to prevent heat-related illness. Avoid sugary drinks, caffeine and alcohol, which can contribute to dehydration. Instead, drink plenty of water throughout the day. If you are sweating heavily, consider replenishing electrolytes with a sports drink.

Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to heat-related illness, which can become life-threatening if left untreated. Check in on family members, friends and neighbors, especially older adults, young children and those with chronic medical conditions.

If someone experiences symptoms such as confusion, slurred speech, a very high body temperature, loss of consciousness, hot and dry skin, or excessive sweating, call 911 immediately and stay with them until help arrives.

During periods of extreme heat, fans alone may not be enough to prevent heat-related illness. Take cool showers or baths when possible and spend time in an air-conditioned location. If your home does not have air conditioning, consider visiting a cooling center, public library, shopping mall or another air-conditioned public building. 

Stay indoors when possible, and limit exercise and outdoor activities to the mornings and evenings. If you must be outside, be sure to hydrate, rest often in the shade, use sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat. 

For more ways to stay safe during the heat wave, visit the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency’s Extreme Heat Safety Tips website: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/extreme-heat-safety-tips

  • July 1, 2026 in News

Town of Merrimac, MA Town Seal

Town of Merrimac Advises Residents Not to Swim in Merrimack River Amid Wastewater Discharge

MERRIMAC – The Town of Merrimac and Health Agent Debbie Ketchen advise residents not to swim in the Merrimack River due to an incident in Haverhill that led to a discharge of untreated wastewater into the river. 

On Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27, the City of Haverhill identified two breaks in sewer mains near its main pumping stations and confirmed that there was an ongoing discharge of untreated wastewater going into the Merrimack River.

As a result of the discharge of untreated wastewater, Health Agent Ketchen strongly urges residents not to swim or allow pets in the Merrimack River.

While the Town of Merrimac has no public access points to the Merrimack River, a number of private residents do. 

Several surrounding towns that offer public access points, including Newburyport, Ipswich, and Newbury, have closed their beaches to swimming. These closures will remain in place until regular testing indicates the water is safe to swim in. 

Swimming in bacteria-contaminated water poses serious health risks. Exposure can cause gastrointestinal, respiratory, dermatological, eye, and ear symptoms, and in some cases, more serious illnesses. Children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable.

The Town urges residents to obey all posted signage if they travel to any beaches in the surrounding area. 

While this untreated sewage discharge impacts the Merrimack River and downstream points, there is no impact to the town’s potable water sources. Merrimac’s potable water is drawn from wells, and town water customers can remain confident in the quality and safety of the drinking water.

For up-to-date information on water quality, visit mass.gov/info-details/dcr-park-alerts. 

Merrimac Public Library Strategic Planning Community Survey

The Merrimac Public Library is in the process of developing a strategic plan, aimed at providing the very best service to our community. A critical component of the process is gathering information and ideas from the community members to establish priorities and create goals for the library. The survey should take approximately 15 minutes to complete and they are due by August 3, 2026. Thank you for your participation. 

Link to survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdW-Frs691rIk0OuvXacLt2wQi7aNxMAsPd8OOMI4MyB_nwBw/viewform?pli=1

  • June 29, 2026 in News