With staggering temperatures in the three digits for the forseeable future, heat exhaustion and solace from the heat is on the minds of every St. Louisan, especially if you don't have air conditioning. Heat exhaustion can happen quicker than you think and can lead to some serious consequences. Although the best recommendation is to stay in a cool spot for as much of the day as possible, those without air conditioning or who have jobs outside might not have that option.
First, here's some signs of heat exhaustion you should be aware of from The Mayo Clinic:
- Cool, moist skin with goose bumps when in the heat
- Heavy sweating
- Faintness
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Weak, rapid pulse
- Low blood pressure upon standing
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea
- Headache
If you think you might be experiencing heat exhaustion, The Mayo Clinic suggests seeing a doctor if your signs or symptoms worsen or if they don't improve within one hour. Seek immediate medical attention if your body temperature reaches 104 F (40 C) or higher.
If you're without air condition, here's a list of the Salvation Army cooling centers now open in Illinois and Missouri, courtesy of KMOV. For updates on cooling centers and to find the closest cooling center near you, call 211 or visit 211helps.org.
Illinois:
Alton: 525 Alby open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Granite City: 3007 East 23rd, open from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
East St. Louis: 616 North 16th, open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Belleville: 20 Glory Place, open from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Clyde C. Jordan Senior Citizens Building, East St. Louis: 6900 State, open Mon. through Fri., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House, East St. Louis: 1200 N 13th, open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mon. through Fri.
Salvation Army, East St. Louis: 616 N. 16th, open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon. through Fri.
Continuum of life Care Center, East St. Louis: 1274 N. 3rd, Mon. through Fri., 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sat. and Sun.
Cosgrove's Soup Kitchen, East St. Louis: 3rd and State, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Mon. through Fri., 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sat.
Missouri:
Arnold Corps: 3740 Telegraph, open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
-Euclid Corps: 2618 North Euclid, open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Temple Corps: 2740 Arsenal, open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Gateway Citadel Corps: 824 Union Road, open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Family Haven in Missouri: 10740 Page, open 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Maplewood: 7701 Rannells, open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
St. Charles Corps: 2140 N. Fourth, open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
O’Fallon Corps: #1 William Booth, open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Kirkwood Community Center: 111 South Geyer Road, open until 9 p.m. on Tuesday
Hazelwood Community Center: 1186 Tesson, open Monday thru Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Hazelwood Civic Center East: 8969 Dunn, open Monday thru Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
For more information on how to cool down, visit the Cool Down St. Louis site.
