Get out of the heat at Tri-State cooling centers - 14 News, WFIE, Evansville, Henderson, Owensboro

Get out of the heat at Tri-State cooling centers

Posted: Updated:
Posted by Kara Mattingly - bio | email
TRI-STATE (WFIE) -

With the hot temperatures expected for the tri-state area, many cooling areas have been opened for those who need relief from the hot weather.

All Red Cross Cooling Centers will be open Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cooling center locations:

Evansville

  • American Red Cross, 29 S. Stockwell Road

Henderson

  • American Red Cross, 300 Center Street
  • Henderson Senior Center & Henderson Co. Library

Daviess County, KY, Owensboro

  • Hall Street Baptist Church - 1102 Hall St., 683-1303
  • American Red Cross - 416 West 3rd Street
  • Daviess County Library - Frederica Street
  • The Public Library – 2020 Frederica St., 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Town Square Mall  - 5000 Frederica, 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. daily
  • Saint Benedicts - 1001 W 7th, the old St Vincent De Paul building, Noon – 8:00 p.m.
  • Rushing Wind Church of God - 2613 Cravens Ave., 485-6868 ,Thursday, Friday and Saturday 1:00 p.m.– 6:00 p.m.
  • Daviess County Senior Center- 1650 W 2nd - Elizabeth Munday Center, 687-4645, Open Weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Whitesville Senior Center - Located within Whitesville Park, Ky 54, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • Good Shepherd Church - 3031 Bittel Rd., Week Days from 1:00 - 4:00 PM only, 684-8274
  • Sorgho Knights of Columbus Hall - KY Hwy 56, Sorgho, Thursday – Tuesday - Noon – 6:00 p.m.
  • Masonville-Pleasant Ridge Fire Department - 7050 US 231, Utica, 771-4444, Thursday – Tuesday Noon - 6:00 p.m.
  • Yellow Creek Baptist - 5741 Highway 144, 281-4118, Open Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Princeton

  • American Red Cross, 312 W. State Street

Mt. Vernon

  • American Red Cross, 716 Locust Street, Room 133 (inside Hedges Central Elementary)

Boonville

  • American Red Cross, 499 West State Road 62 (Tri-Cap Building)

Washington

  • American Red Cross, 200 East Walnut Street (Open Wednesday and Thursday 11am-3pm)

White County, Carmi

  • 1112 Oak St.

Wabash County, Mt. Carmel

  • 229 W. 2nd St.

Perry County

  • Cannelton & Tell City Library Branches

McLean County, KY (open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

  • Beech Grove Area - Beech Grove Christian Church            
  • Buck Creek Area - Buck Creek Baptist Church
  • Calhoun Area - Calhoun Baptist Church  
  • Island Area - Island Methodist Church
  • Livermore Area - McLean County Public Library
  • Sacramento Area - Sacramento Methodist Church

Spencer County

  • Public Library in Dale, Rockport & Richmond

Knox County

  • Public Library in Vincennes

Webster County, KY

  • Providence Community Room
  • Providence Library 
  • Webster County Library in Dixon
  • Dixon Senior Center
  • Clay Community Room
  • Sebree City Hall

The Red Cross has sent out some tips to stay safe in this heat.

Red Cross Heat Safety Tips:

  • Prepare. Discuss heat safety precautions with members of your household. Have a plan for what to do if the power goes out.
  • Dress for the heat. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun's rays. It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella.
  • Stay hydrated. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine, which dehydrate the body.
  • Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat.
  • Slow down and avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4 and 7 a.m. Take frequent breaks.
  • Stay indoors when possible. If air-conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine. Remember that electric fans do not cool, they simply circulate the air.
  • Be a good neighbor. During heat waves, check in on family, friends and neighbors who are elderly or ill and those who do not have air conditioning. Check on your animals frequently, too, to make sure they are not suffering from the heat.
  • Learn Red Cross first aid and CPR/AED.

Know What These Heat-Related Terms Mean:

  • Heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms that usually occur in the legs or abdomen. They are caused by exposure to heat and humidity, and loss of fluids. Heat cramps are an early signal that the body is having trouble with the heat.
  • Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs. This results in a form of mild shock. If not treated, the victim may suffer heat stroke. Signals of heat exhaustion include cool, moist, pale flushed or red skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.
  • Heat stroke: Also known as sunstroke, heat stroke is life-threatening. The victim's temperature-control system, which produces sweat as a way of cooling the body, stops working. Body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Signals include hot, red and dry skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing.

General Care for Heat Emergencies:

  • Heat exhaustion: Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. If the person is fully awake and alert, give half a glass of cool water every 15 minutes, and have the person drink slowly. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths to the skin. Fan the person. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number if the person refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness.
  • Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation! Help is needed fast. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Wrap wet towels or sheets around the body. Use a water hose, if available, to cool the victim. Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body. If the victim refuses water or is vomiting or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.

We will continue to add cooling centers to this list as we get word of new ones opening.

Copyright 2012 WFIE. All rights reserved.