City of Independence Cooling Site will be open Aug. 1-3

Extreme heat is anticipated for our area throughout the week, with heat indices anticipated to be over 100-degrees Fahrenheit multiple days. The Roger T. Sermon Community Center, 201 N. Dodgion St., will be available as a cooling site center Monday, August 1, from 1 p.m. to 8 pm. And Tuesday, August 2, and Wednesday, August 3, from 8 a.m. through 8 p.m. as a cooling site. Staff will continue to monitor the weather to determine if the cooling site is needed beyond this. An update will be provided later this week.

The cooling site will have water available to patrons and a place to sit and recharge.

Please take extra precautions to stay hydrated, take plenty of breaks inside, and know the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses. Heat stroke can be life threatening. Here are symptoms to look for:

• High body temperature
• Hot, red, dry, or damp skin
• Fast, strong pulse
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Passing out

If an individual is showing these symptoms, please call 9-1-1 right away. Move the person to a cooler place and utilize cool clothes or a cool bath to help lower their temperature until help arrives. Do not give the individual anything to drink.

Citizens should also take precautions to protect themselves, their families, and their pets during this extreme heat. If possible, avoid strenuous outdoor activities and schedule work outdoors during the early morning or late afternoon when temperatures are cooler. It is important to remain well hydrated, drinking non-alcoholic beverages throughout the day. Finally, please never leave children or pets in the car, even for a few minutes. For further heat related safety tips, visit ready.gov/heat.

The United Way of Greater Kansas City maintains a list of active cooling centers throughout the region. Call 211 for more information or additional assistance.