Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Monday, July 17, 2006
Contact: Diana Sun 703-228-3247 (voice) 703-228-4611(TTY)
Free Bus Rides and Cooling Assistance in Arlington
Free ART rides on Code Red days
Extremely hot weather can cause serious health problems for people of all ages. Take precautions during hot weather:
- Drink plenty of fluids (non-alcoholic)
- Wear light-weight, loose-fitting clothing
- Stay cool indoors
- Schedule outdoor activities carefully and wear sunscreen
- If you exercise outdoors, go in the morning or evening hours
- Eat light, regular meals - avoid hot foods and heavy meals
- Don't leave anyone - infants, children, or pets - in a parked car
- Know the signs of heat related illness
Learn these and other tips on the County's Web site.
Free ART Bus Service on Code Red Days -- Tues., July 18
Arlington County will offer free bus service on its ART system on Tuesday, July 18th due to a Code Red designation or unhealthy air quality index forecasted by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG). This free bus service is offered to improve the region’s air quality during days that are determined to be Code Red or Code Purple and present a potential health threat due to high levels of air pollution.
ART fare boxes will be covered with a red bag and signs will be posted to alert passengers that the service is free. This program aims to reduce air pollutants by encouraging residents to leave their cars at home and ride the bus. For more information on the air quality index reporting for the region, visit www.mwcog.org/environment.
Funding for Air Conditioners and Fans Available
Need help beating the heat? The Arlington Agency on Aging has funds available to help older residents obtain an air conditioner or fan. Click here for more information; eligibility requirements apply.
Information on How to Beat the Heat
To help you manage the extreme heat, we've created a special Web site, "Hot Tips for Keeping Cool," that includes a lot of useful information, including:
- Tips on what you can do at home, on the road, and in the office
- Cooling assistance information for eligible seniors
- Arlington's swimming pools
- Arlington parks with water features
Sign up for Arlington Alert
Be prepared for any emergency. Make sure you have a family plan and that you are subscribed to Arlington's free emergency notification service. Go to www.arlingtonalert.com and sign up today.
Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.
