With the heat index climbing this weekend it’s important to step back and see what needs to be done to stay safe during the summer. Children, pregnant women, and the elderly are at a greater risk for heat-related illnesses.
- Never Leave a Child (or pet) In The Car – A car intensifies the temperature of the outside, acting like an oven. The interior can reach extremely dangerous temperatures in mere minutes, topping out well over 140 degrees.
- Stay Hydrated – While a cold soda or sports drink might sound good on a hot day they can actually dehydrate you. Water is the best option to stay hydrated when it gets hot out. If you want to add a little flavor try slicing some fruit and adding it to the water. Dehydration can lead to lightheadedness, headaches, and greater susceptibility to other heat relate problems which can be fatal.
- Know the Signs – Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke and get out of the heat and take care of yourself.
“Signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion may develop suddenly or over time, especially with prolonged periods of exercise. Possible heat exhaustion signs and symptoms include:
- 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” – https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heat-exhaustion/symptoms-causes/syc-20373250
“Heatstroke signs and symptoms include:
- High body temperature. A core body temperature of 104 F (40 C) or higher, obtained with a rectal thermometer, is the main sign of heatstroke.
- Altered mental state or behavior. Confusion, agitation, slurred speech, irritability, delirium, seizures and coma can all result from heatstroke.
- Alteration in sweating. In heatstroke brought on by hot weather, your skin will feel hot and dry to the touch. However, in heatstroke brought on by strenuous exercise, your skin may feel dry or slightly moist.
- Nausea and vomiting. You may feel sick to your stomach or vomit.
- Flushed skin. Your skin may turn red as your body temperature increases.
- Rapid breathing. Your breathing may become rapid and shallow.
- Racing heart rate. Your pulse may significantly increase because heat stress places a tremendous burden on your heart to help cool your body.
- Headache. Your head may throb.” – https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heat-stroke/symptoms-causes/syc-20353581
- Find a Place to Stay Cool – There are cooling centers available throughout the region
Scott County
Benton Riverside Regional Library
North 54 Winchester, Benton, MO 63736
Phone: 573-545-3581
Hours: Mon, Tue and Fri – 1:00pm to 6:00pm
Wed – 9:00am to 6:00pm
Sat – 8:00am to 12:00pm (noon)
Thu and Sun – Closed
Chaffee Library
202 Wright Avenue, Chaffee, MO 63740
Phone: 573-887-3298
Hours: Mon-Fri – 10:00am to 6:00pm (closed for lunch 12:30pm to 1:30pm)
Sat – 10:00am to 1:00pm
Chaffee Oaks Senior Center
800 South Main, Chaffee, MO 63740
Phone: 573-887-3600
Hours: Mon- Fri – 7:00am to 3:00pm
Scott City Branch Library
2108 Main Street, Scott City, MO 63780
Phone: 573-264-2413
Hours: Mon, Thu and Fri 1:00pm to 6:00pm
Tue and Wed 11:00am to 6:00pm
Sat 9:00am to 1:00pm
Scott City Oaks Senior Center
132 West Hickory Street, Scott City, MO 63780
Phone: 573-264-3402
Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am to 2:30pm
Senior Center is closed whenever Scott City Schools or Cape Girardeau Schools are closed
Scott County Health Department
102 Grove Estates Court, Sikeston, MO 63801
Phone: 573-471-4044
Hours: Mon – 8:00am to 5:00pm
Tue-Fri – 8:00am to 4:00pm
Sikeston Oaks Senior Center
305 Cresap, Sikeston, MO 63801
Phone: 573-471-6047
Hours: Mon-Fri – 7:00am to 4:00pm
Sikeston Public Library
121 East North Street, Sikeston, MO 63801
Phone: 573-471-4140
Hours: Mon-Thu – 10:00am to 8:00pm
Fri – 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sat – 10:00am to 4:00pm
Sun – 1:00pm to 5:00pm
Mississippi County
Charleston Oaks Senior Center
205 West Commercial, Charleston, MO 63834
Phone: 573-683-6115
Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am to 4:00pm
Clara Drinkwater Newnam Library
105 East Marshall Street, Charleston, MO 63834
Phone: 573-683-6748
Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, and Fri 8:00am to 5:30pm
Wed 8:00am to 7:00pm
Sat 9:00am to 4:00pm
East Prairie Senior Oaks Center
304 East Main, East Prairie, MO 63845
Phone: 573-649-5805
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00am to 4:00pm
Mississippi County Health Department
1200 East Marshall, Charleston, MO 63834
Phone: 573-683-2191
Hours: Mon-Fri – 8:00am to 4:30pm
New Madrid County
Matthews Branch Library
105 West Maint Street, Matthews, MO 63867
Phone: 573-379-3583
Hours: Tues and Fri 12:00pm( noon) to 4:00pm
Morehouse Branch Library
204 West Beech Street, Morehouse, MO 63868
Phone: 573-379-3583
Hours: Tues and Fri 1:00pm to 5:00pm
New Madrid County Health Department
406 US Highway 61, New Madrid, MO 63869
Phone: 573-748-5541
Hours: Mon-Fri – 8:00am to 4:30pm
New Madrid County Library
309 East Main Street, Portageville, MO 63873
Phone: 573-379-3583
Hours: Mon-Fri – 9:00am to 5:00pm
Sat – 9:00am to 12:00pm (noon)
New Madrid Oaks Senior Center
925 Pinell Avenue, New Madrid, MO 63869
Phone: 573-748-2577
Hours: Mon-Fri – 7:00am to 4:00pm
Parma Branch Library
205 North Broad Street, Parma, MO 63870
Phone: 573-379-3583
Hours: Tues and Fri 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Portageville Oaks Senior Center
105 East Main Street, Portageville, MO 63873
Phone: 573-379-3811
Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am to 2:30pm
Meal served Mon-Fri – 11:00am to 12:30pm
Rhodes Memorial Library
303 North Main Street, Gideon, MO 63848
Phone: 573-448-3554
Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri 1:00pm to 5:00pm
Tue and Thu 8:00am to 5:00pm
Dunklin County
Campbell Branch Library
404 West Grand Avenue, Campbell, MO 63933
Phone: 573-246-2112
Hours: Mon – Fri 1:00pm to 5:00pm
Cardwell Branch Library
110 North Main. Cardwell, MO 63829
Phone: 573-654-3366
Hours: Mon, Wed and Thu 12:00pm (noon) to 5:00pm
Tue 9:00am to 2:00pm
Fri 1:00pm to 5:00pm
Clarkton Branch Library
113 South Main Street, Clarkton, MO 63837
Phone: 573-448-3803
Hours: Mon – Fri 1:00pm to 5:00pm
Dunklin County Health Department
410 Teaco Road, Kennett, MO 63857
Phone: 573-888-9008
Hours: Mon-Fri – 8:00am to 4:30pm
Dunklin County Library
208 North Main Street, Kennett, MO 63857
Phone: 573-888-3561
Hours: Mon – Sat 8:30am to 5:30pm
Holcomb Branch Library
212 West Main, Holcomb, MO 63852
Phone: 573-792-3268
Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri 1:00pm to 5:00pm
Hornersville Branch Library
502 School Street, Hornersville, MO 63855
Phone: 573-737-2728
Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri 1:00pm to 5:00pm
Kennett Oaks Senior Center
900 Kennett Street, Kennett, MO 63857
Phone: 573-888-9852
Hours: Mon-Fri – 7:00am to 2:00pm
Malden Branch Library
113 North Madison Street, Malden, MO 63863
Phone: 573-276-3674
Hours: Mon – Sat 8:30am to 5:30pm
Malden Nutrition Center
117 East Main Street, Malden, MO 63863
Phone: 573-276-3266
Hours: Mon-Fri – 7:00am to 3:00pm
Senath Branch Library
108 North Main Street, Senath, MO 63876
Phone: 573-738-2363
Hours: Mon – Fri 1:00pm to 5:00pm
Pemiscot County
Caruthersville Oaks Senior Center
1105 Carleton, Caruthersville, MO 63830
Phone: 573-333-2382
Hours: Mon-Fri – 7:30am to 2:30pm
Caruthersville Public Library
707 West 13th Street, Caruthersville, MO 63830
Phone: 573-333-2480
Hours: Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri 9:30am-5:30pm
Tue 9:30am to 7:30pm
Sat 9:30am to 1:30pm
Sun 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Hayti Conran Memorial Library
302 East Main Street, Hayti, MO 63851
Phone: 573-359-0599
Hours: Mon-Fri – 10:00am to 12:00pm (noon) and 1:00pm to 5:00pm
Hayti Oaks Senior Center
600 East Washington Street, Hayti, MO 63851
Phone: 573-359-1148
Hours: Mon-Fri 6:00am to 1:00pm
Pemiscot County Health Center
810 E Reed St, Hayti, MO 63851
Phone: 573-359-1656
Hours: Mon-Fri – 8:00am to 4:30pm
Steele Public Library
108 East Main Street, Steele, MO 63877
Phone: 573-695-3561
Hours: Mon-Thu 9:00am to 4:30pm