Cooling Centers Offer Relief During Heat Advisory

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for the area until Wednesday night. Heat index readings are expected to be around 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Temperatures are expected to be in the mid to high 90s through the rest of the week, so the St. Louis County Health Department is urging people to use caution during this extreme heat. 

In a news release, St. Louis County health officials said this first heat wave of the season has already caused 17 people to be treated for heat exhaustion, some even hospitalized. Five people were treated in the emergency room with heat-related illnesses at St. Anthony's Medical Center over the weekend. 

The United Way has released a list of cooling shelters where residents may go to get out of the heat during the day. 

The closest cooling shelters to Mehlville are the South County Senior Center (9451 Gentry), open from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, and (171 Kingston), open from 7:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8:30am until 1 p.m. on Saturday. Both sites are handicapped accessible. 

A list of cooling shelters in surrounding communities can be found at United Way 2-1-1 or by calling United Way at 211 on a landline.  If 211 is blocked, or calling from a cellphone, call 800-427-4626.

Taking preventive action is the best defense against having to deal with extreme hot-weather conditions.

The following are tips, compiled by Operation Weather Survival staffers and the St. Louis County Health Department to help keep people safe and cool during hot weather emergencies.

• Dress for the occasion: wear light-colored, lose clothing. 
• Stay indoors: try to minimize time in the sun without shade or water. If you have to be outside, take breaks in the shade or air conditioning.
• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate: drink plenty of beverages, excluding alcohol and those with sugar or caffeine. Try to consume 8 cups of water per day and keep a few bottles of water in your freezer—if the power goes out, move them to your refrigerator and keep the doors shut.
• Watch the fast food: light, easy meals are easier to digest than hot, heavy or greasy foods. Remember that food spoils quickly in the heat. 
• Develop a buddy system: with family, friends, or neighbors, develop a personal support network of people who will check in with you at least twice a day throughout warm weather periods and plan how you will help each other in an emergency. Watch for signs of heat stroke and/or heat exhaustion. Call for help when needed.