SOUTH BEND — The St. Joseph County Health Department calls on South Bend area residents to avoid extreme heat outdoors that can cause serious health problems that can be life-threatening for many age groups.
County health officials urge people to:
■ Wear appropriate clothing that is light and breathable.
■ Stay in cooler areas, such as indoors or shaded areas.
■ Apply sunscreen to all exposed areas of skin.
■ Do not leave children or pets in vehicles, even if the air-conditioning units are on.
■ Avoid hot and heavy meals.
■ Drink plenty of water and refrain from drinking sugary or alcoholic drinks.
■ Keep water for all pets, and check the surface of sidewalks and asphalt parking lots for hot temperatures before walking on them.
■ Check in on people who may be at high risk of suffering from a heat-related illness. These people would likely be young children, older adults, people with chronic conditions and others without air-conditioned places.
The Health Department stressed that all people should try to know possible signs of heat-related illnesses: They include skin irritation, muscle pain or spasms, fatigue and irritability, extreme thirst, headaches, nausea, confusion, slurred speech, unconsciousness, or seizures.
South Bend will have its community centers open as cooling centers:
Charles Black Community Center
■ Where: 3419 W. Washington St.
■ Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays; closed Saturdays and Sundays
■ Special hours: Closed July 4
Howard Park Event Center
■ Where: 604 E. Jefferson Blvd.
■ Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays
■ Special hours: noon to 10 p.m. July 4
O’Brien Fitness Center
■ Where: 321 E. Walter St.
■ Hours: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 5 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays
■ Special hours: Closed July 4
Martin Luther King Dream Center
■ Where: 2801 Riverside Drive
■ Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays
■ Special hours: Closed July 4
Pinhook Community Center
■ Where: 2801 Riverside Drive
■ Hours: Times vary, and hours are typically by appointment
Others also are encouraged to look for cool spots, such as malls and the area’s public library branches. For St. Joseph County Public Library locations and times, call 574-282-4646 or visit sjcpl.org.
Email Tribune staff writer Greg Swiercz at gswiercz@sbtinfo.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Extreme heat wave safety tips, including South Bend cooling centers
Reporting by Greg Swiercz, South Bend Tribune / South Bend Tribune
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