Cook County is opening cooling centers as heat indices over 100 are forecast for the region from Wednesday through Friday this week.
Cooling centers will be open 24 hours at the County’s Skokie, Maywood and Markham courthouses from Wednesday, July 23, at 8 a.m. through Friday, July 25, at 5 p.m. Residents without adequate access to air conditioning are advised to seek respite at a cooling center.
The County’s Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security offers the following tips during excessive summer heat to help keep residents safe:
- Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol and sugary drinks
- Try to stay in the shade or indoors as much as possible
- If working outside, take frequent breaks, preferably in an air-conditioned space
- Bring pets indoors and make sure they have plenty of water
- Never leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle
It’s also important to check on relatives, neighbors, seniors and members of vulnerable populations when temperatures climb to extreme levels.
If you must work or spend extended time outdoors, watch for symptoms of heatstroke—when the body loses its ability to regulate temperature. Signs include:
- An extremely high body temperature, such as 103 degrees or above
- Dizziness and nausea
- A throbbing headache and a rapid, strong pulse.
- Skin that is red, hot and dry
If there is a medical emergency due to a heat-related illness, call 911.
A complete list of cooling centers, along with their hours of operation, is available here.
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