With temperatures on the rise, the Kane County Health Department is providing tips for dealing with extreme heat, including information on available cooling centers in the area.
Throughout the summer, municipalities and community organizations across Kane County are operating designated cooling centers meant to provide residents with safe, air-conditioned spaces during periods of extreme heat, a news release from the Kane County Health Department said.
A list of available cooling centers is available on the county health department’s website at: https://www.kanehealth.com/Pages/Warming-Cooling-Centers.aspx.
The health department is advising residents to identify the nearest cooling center location in their community and to call ahead to confirm that a cooling center has been activated before arriving.
“Extreme heat is one of the most dangerous weather-related threats we face each summer, but many heat-related illnesses and deaths can be prevented,” Michael Isaacson, executive director of the Kane County Health Department, said in the news release.
Prolonged exposure to high heat and humidity can lead to health risks like heat exhaustion and heat stroke, the health department said, especially for older adults, young children, people with chronic health conditions and individuals without access to air conditioning.
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Symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke include heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, confusion, a rapid pulse or loss of consciousness, the news release from the health department said. Anyone experiencing severe symptoms should seek emergency medical attention immediately, the department advised.
In addition to encouraging the use of cooling centers when needed, the health department is recommending precautions like drinking water even when not thirsty; staying in air-conditioned spaces whenever possible; limiting outdoor activities during peak afternoon hours; wearing lightweight, light-colored clothing; talking with one’s doctor about how medications may increase the risk of heat-related illness; not leaving children or pets in a parked vehicle and checking on older adults, neighbors living alone and those with medical conditions.
Residents can sign up to receive information about heat advisories and other safety alerts from the county by going to https://oem.kanecountyil.gov/Pages/Emergency-Alerts.aspx.