HEIGHTS — The National Weather Service is predicting hot and humid weather throughout the week, with temperatures expected peak in the mid 90s.
The city’s senior and recreational centers are available as cooling centers. Residents who are adversely affected by the heat and do not have access to air conditioning are welcome to visit these facilities for temporary relief.
The facilities (and hours of operation) include:
• Caroline Kennedy Library, 24590 George St.
10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
• Eton Senior Center, 4900 Pardee
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
• John F. Kennedy Library, 24602 Van Born
Noon to 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
• Richard A. Young Recreation Center, 5400 McKinley
5:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
In addition to the city-owned facilities, there are several other locations in the area that serve as good places to escape the heat temporarily:
Malls & Shopping Centers offer a way to stay cool, get some shopping done, get some walking exercise, and take advantage of several other activities (such as movie theaters and restaurants).
• Museums provide an opportunity to stay cool indoors for an afternoon while viewing some items and information of interest.
The predicted extreme conditions can cause heat-related illnesses – particularly with young children, seniors, overweight people and those who are ill or on certain medications. City officials encourage all residents to take a few basic precautions:
Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids.
Reduce your intake of caffeinated beverages.
Avoid strenuous outdoor work.
Wear lightweight clothing.
Pace yourself.
Stay cool indoors. If your home does not have air conditioning, visit a public building, such as one of the City’s senior centers, libraries, movie theatre, or a nearby shopping mall.
Take cool showers or baths.
Check on elderly, disabled or ill friends and relatives regularly.
Do not leave children or pets in parked cars.
Under these conditions, heat stroke can occur quickly. Signs of heat stroke include a body temperature that exceeds 103 degrees, lack of sweating, rapid pulse, headache, nausea, confusion and even unconsciousness. If someone is suffering from these symptoms, health officials recommend the victim be cooled rapidly, to 101 or 102 degrees, and a call placed to 911 for immediate health care.
Pet owners should protect their pets from the extreme heat, by keeping them out of direct sunlight and hot environments as much as possible, and making sure they have plenty of cool drinking water.
For more information on coping with the heat, check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/index.asp.