City of Independence Cooling Site will be open July 12

The National Weather Service has predicted heat indexes between 100 degrees and 110 degrees Fahrenheit for Wednesday, July 12. As a result, the Roger T. Sermon Community Center, 201 N. Dodgion St., will be available as a cooling site from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Heat-related illnesses can be fatal, so it is important you take precautions to protect yourself, your family, and your pets during the extreme heat. If an individual is showing symptoms of heat stroke, please call 9-1-1 right away. Move the person to a cooler place and loosen clothing or use a cool bath to help lower their temperature until help arrives. Do not give the individual anything to drink.  

If possible, avoid strenuous outdoor activities and schedule work outdoors during the early morning or after the sun has gone down when temperatures are cooler. It is important to remain hydrated and drink 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.