Find A Cooling Center In Oswego

OSWEGO, IL -- Temperatures this week will approach 100 degrees and it is vital to stay cool. Heat is not only uncomfortable. It can be dangerous to our health, causing potentially life-threatening heat injuries.

There are multiple levels of heat injury. From least to most severe, they are heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Here are the symptoms and treatment procedures of each, according to Johns Hopkins University:

Heat Cramps:

• Symptoms:
  • Painful cramps, especially in the legs
  • Flushed, moist skin
• Treatment:
  • Move to a cool place and rest. Do not continue to participate in the activity.
  • Remove excess clothing and place cool cloths on skin; fan skin.
  • Give cool sports drinks containing salt and sugar.
  • Stretch cramped muscles slowly and gently.

Heat Exhaustion:

• Symptoms:
  • Muscle cramps
  • Pale, moist skin
  • Usually has a fever over 100.4° F (or 34° C)
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Weakness
  • Anxiety, and faint feeling
• Treatment:
  • Move to a cool place and rest.
  • Remove excess clothing and place cool cloths on skin; fan skin.
  • Give cool sports drinks containing salt and sugar.
  • If no improvement or unable to take fluids, take your child to an emergency department immediately. IV (intravenous) fluids may be needed.

Heat Stroke:

• Symptoms:
  • Warm, dry skin
  • High fever, usually over 104° F (or 40° C)
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Confusion
  • Agitation
  • Lethargy
  • Stupor
  • Seizures, coma, and death are possible
• Treatment:
  • Move to a cool place and rest.
  • Call 911 or your local emergency medical service. Heat stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency and needs to be treated by a doctor.
  • Remove excess clothing and drench skin with cool water; fan skin.
  • Place ice bags on the armpits and groin areas.
  • Offer cool fluids if alert and able to drink.

The National Weather Service issued a hazardous weather alert for excessive heat levels this week. Here are some tips for staying cool on blisteringly hot days:

• Drink plenty of water
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine
• Reduce outdoor activities
• Wear breathable and light-colored clothing
• Stay inside between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., the hottest part of the day

If you find yourself out in town and are too hot, stop by one of several local cooling centers which accept people to stay for a while to cool down:

• Oswegoland Park District, Prairie Point, 313 E. Washington St.
  • Call (630) 554-1010 to see if they can receive you
• Oswegoland Park District, South Point, 810 Preston Ln.
  • Call (630) 554-1010 to see if they can receive you
• Oswego Police Department, 3525 Route 34
  • 24 hours
• Oswego Public Library District, 32 W. Jefferson St.
  • Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, noon to 4:00 p.m.
• Oswego Senior Center, 156 E. Washington St
  • Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Oswego Village Hall, 100 Parkers Mill
  • Call (630) 554-3287 to see if they can receive you

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