Full Notification

COOLING SHELTER NOTICE
 
The City of East Chicago is opening a cooling shelter for residents this week.
Locations:
Martin Luther King Jr. Center, 4802 Melville Avenue
 
Cooling shelter dates and hours:
Today (August 22), tomorrow (August 23), and Thursday (August 24) from 11am to 7pm 
 
Please take necessary precautions due to the extreme heat advisory. Heat Index of 90°- 105° can cause the following: sunstroke, heat cramps and heat exhaustion possibly with prolonged exposure and or physical activity. 
 
Preventing Heat-Related Illness
Elderly persons, small children, chronic invalids, those on certain medications or drugs (especially tranquilizers and anticholinergics), and persons with weight and alcohol problems are particularly susceptible to heat reactions, especially during heat waves in areas where a moderate climate usually prevails.
 
National Weather Service Heat Wave Safety Tips
1. Slow down. Strenuous activities should be reduced, eliminated, or rescheduled to the coolest time of the day. Individuals at risk should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.
 2. Dress for summer. Lightweight light-colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight, and helps your body maintain normal temperatures.
 3. Put less fuel on your inner fires. Foods (like proteins) that increase metabolic heat production also increase water loss.
 4. Drink plenty of water or other non-alcohol fluids. Your body needs water to keep cool. Drink plenty of fluids even if you don’t feel thirsty. Persons who (1) have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease, (2) are on fluid restrictive diets or (3) have a problem with fluid retention should consult a physician before increasing their consumption of fluids.
 5. Do not drink alcoholic beverages.
 6. Do not take salt tablets unless specified by a physician.
 7. Spend more time in air-conditioned places. Air conditioning in homes and other buildings markedly reduces danger from the heat. If you cannot afford an air conditioner, spending some time each day (during hot weather) in an air conditioned environment affords some protection.
 8. Don’t get too much sun. Sunburn makes the job of heat dissipation that much more difficult.
 
 
            Recommendations from FEMA
 
Precautions you should take before extreme hot weather:
 
·       Prepare an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.
·        Install window air conditioners snugly; insulate if necessary.
·       Check air conditioning ducts for proper insulation.
·       Install temporary window reflectors (for use between windows and drapes), such as aluminum foil covered cardboard, to reflect heat back outside.
·       Weather-strip doors and sills to keep cool air in.
·       Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, awnings, or louvers.
·       Keep storm windows up all year.
·       Listen to local weather forecasts and stay aware of upcoming temperature changes.
·       Know those in your neighborhood who are elderly, young, sick, or overweight. They are more likely to become victims of excessive heat and may need help.
·       Get trained in first aid to learn how to treat heat-related emergencies.
 
 
        Precautions you should take during extreme hot weather:
 
·       Listen to NOAA weather radio for critical updates from the National Weather Service (NWS).
·       Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles.
·       Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun.
·       Stay on the lowest floor, out of the sunshine if air conditioning is not available.
·       Postpone outdoor games and activities.
·       Consider spending the warmest part of the day in public buildings such as libraries, schools, movie theaters, shopping malls, and other community facilities.
·       Eat well balanced, light, and regular meals. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.
·       Drink plenty of water; even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid drinks with caffeine. Persons who have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease; are on fluid-restricted diets; or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a doctor before increasing liquid intake.
·       Limit intake of alcoholic beverages.
·       Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays.
·       Protect face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
·       Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day.
·       Check on family, friends, and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend