HEIGHTS — With hot, humid temperatures expected throughout the week, the city has offered several of its public buildings as cooling center to residents who do not have access to air conditioning.
The facilities include:
Caroline Kennedy Library, 24590 George St.
Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
John F. Kennedy Library, 24602 Van Born
Monday through Thursday, noon to 8 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.
Richard A. Young Recreation Center, 5400 McKinley
Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Friday, 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
From Monday through Thursday, residents also can go to the city’s senior centers for temporary relief from the heat:
Berwyn Senior Recreation Center, 16155 Richardson
Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Eton Senior Recreation Center, 4900 Pardee
Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In addition to the city-owned facilities, there are several other local locations in the area that serve as good places to escape the heat temporarily:
• Malls & Shopping Centers offer a great way to stay cool, get some shopping done, get some walking exercise, and take advantage of several other activities (such as movie theaters and dining.);
• Museums and Libraries provide a great opportunity to stay cool indoors for an afternoon while viewing some items and information of interest, or catching up on some reading.
Particularly during these extreme conditions, all residents are advised to take heat-related precautions:
• Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids.
• Make sure your pets have access to plenty of fresh water.
• Reduce your intake of caffeinated beverages.
• Avoid strenuous outdoor work, and pace yourself – don’t overdo it.
• Wear lightweight clothing.
• Pace yourself – don’t overdo it.
• 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, 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.
Extreme conditions can be dangerous, causing heat-related health problems for many individuals – particularly young children, seniors, overweight people, and those who are ill or on certain medications.
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 also be mindful to 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.
For more information on the local weather conditions, check the National Weather Service (White Lake, facility) website.