Cooling center locations; tips for staying safe during heat wave

(KOAM) -- Rising temperatures are impacting most of the 4-States and the National Weather Service has issued excessive heat warnings and heat advisories for communities throughout the area.

A Heat Advisory is when temperatures of at least 100 degrees or a Heat Index value of at least 105 degrees are expected.

Excessive Heat Warning means temperatures of at least 105 degrees or a Heat Index value of 110 degrees or higher, and temperatures don't fall below 75 degrees for 48 hours.

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In Joplin, these locations are open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.

• City Hall, 602 South Main
• Joplin Health Department, 321 East 4th Street
• Dr. Donald Clark Public Safety Center, 303 East 3rd
• Joplin Athletic Center, 3301 West 1st Street

Cooling centers are located throughout the state of Missouri. For more cooling center locations, click here for the statewide map.

Splash Pads and Aquatic Centers

• Schifferdecker Aquatic Center
  • 400 S Schifferdecker Ave, Joplin
• Cunningham Aquatic Center
  • 2401 S Maiden Ln, Joplin
• Ewert Aquatic Center
  • 615 NW Murphy Blvd, Joplin
• Pittsburg Aquatic Center
  • 708 W 9th St, Pittsburg

Heat Wave Tips:

• Slow down: reduce, eliminate or reschedule strenuous activities until the coolest time of the day. Children, seniors, and anyone with health problems should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.
• Dress for summer. Wear light loose-fitting, light-colored clothing to reflect heat and sunlight.
• Eat light, cool, easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salads. If you pack food, put it in a cooler or carry an ice pack. Don't leave it sitting in the sun. Meats and dairy products can spoil quickly in hot weather.
• Drink plenty of water (not very cold), non-alcoholic and decaffeinated fluids, even if you don't feel thirsty.
• Use air conditioners or spend time in air-conditioned locations such as malls and libraries.
• Use portable electric fans to exhaust hot air from rooms or draw in cooler air.
• Do not direct the flow of portable electric fans toward yourself when room temperature is hotter than 90°F. The dry blowing air will dehydrate you faster, endangering your health.
• Minimize direct exposure to the sun. Sunburn reduces your body's ability to dissipate heat.
• Take a cool bath or shower.
• Do not take salt tablets unless specified by a physician.
• Check on older, sick, or frail people who may need help responding to the heat. Each year, dozens of children and untold numbers of pets left in parked vehicles die from hyperthermia. Keep your children, disabled adults, and pets safe during tumultuous heat waves.
• Make sure rooms are well-vented if you are using volatile chemicals.

If you have a cooling center in your community, please email the location and hours to pwilliams@koamnewsnow.com .