Kent County is encouraging residents to take precautions over the next few days during the extreme heat, reminding residents of air-conditioned places to go for relief.
Cooling centers in Kent County include:
- Kent County Library, 497 S. Red Haven Lane, Dover, 302-698-6440, open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Kent County Recreation Center, 1683 New Burton Road, Dover, 302-744-2495, open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 12:30-5 p.m.
- Smyrna Public Library, 107 S. Main St., Smyrna, 302-653-4579, open weekdays from 9 a.m. to – 5:45 p.m.
- Harrington Public Library, 110 E. Center St., Harrington, 302-398-4647, open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Excessive heat warning through Wednesday in Kent County
The forecast for Dover is for a high temperature of 98 degrees Tuesday and 95 degrees Wednesday before dropping a bit to 87 degrees Thursday, according to the Weather Channel website .
The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning until 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Precautions to take during extreme heat
The county’s Emergency Management Assistant Director Brandon Olenik advised residents to “stay cool, stay hydrated and stay informed.”
On average, 675 deaths from extreme heat occur each year in the United States, Olenik said.
Most vulnerable are the elderly, those who work or exercise outdoors, infants and children, people experiencing homelessness and people with a chronic medical condition.
More weather news: Delaware bracing for extreme heat this week. Heat warning for New Castle County
Steps to prevent heat-related health problems include:
- Stay in air-conditioned buildings. Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device.
- Limit outdoor activity, especially midday when it is the hottest, and avoid direct sunlight.
- Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
- Take cool showers or baths to lower your body temperature.
- Check on at-risk friends, family and neighbors at least twice a day.
- Stay hydrated. Drink more water than usual and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. While working or exercising outside, drink two to four cups of water every hour .
- Avoid alcohol or liquids containing high amounts of sugar.
- Check your local news for extreme heat warnings and safety tips.
- Keep your friends, family and neighbors aware of weather and heat safety information.
Signs of heat-related illness and what to do
Warning signs and symptoms of heat-related health problems vary and are available on the Centers for Disease Control website .
For heat exhaustion, symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, skin that’s cold, pale, and clammy; weak pulse, fainting or vomiting.
A person showing these symptoms, should move to a cooler location, lie down, loosen clothing, apply cool, wet cloths to as much the body as possible and sip water. If the person has vomited and it continues, seek medical attention immediately.
More health information: Stay safe from heat stress during heat wave 2024 by knowing heat stroke symptoms
Heat stroke, the most serious heat-related illness, occurs when the body temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails and the body is unable to cool itself. Symptoms include confusion, slurred speech, loss of consciousness, seizures, hot and dry skin or profuse sweating, high body temperature above 103 degrees.
For someone showing these symptoms, call 911 immediately. Until emergency responders arrive, move the person to a cooler environment, reduce the person's body temperature with cool cloths or even a cool bath, circulate air around the person, but don’t give fluids.
Reach reporter Ben Mace at rmace@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Precautions to take during extreme heat: Kent County cooling centers open
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