Blue Springs, Mo. – The City of Blue Springs has opened Vesper Hall as a Cooling Center in response to the excessive heat warning for Jackson County issued by the National Weather Service. The excessive heat warning has been extended by the National Weather Service to 7 p.m. tonight.
Blue Springs residents can find refuge from the extreme heat at Vesper Hall during normal operating hours of Monday/Wednesday/Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday/Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
“We are encouraging our residents to take heed to the warnings of excessive heat and make all efforts to protect themselves from the dangerous weather,” said Mayor Carson Ross. “Please be sure to pay special attention to senior citizens, young children and those with health or breathing problems.”
Heat is the No. 1 weather-related killer. On average, excessive heat causes more than 1,500 death per year in the United States, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. That average death tally exceeds the average caused by tornadoes, hurricanes, floods and lightning combined.
Health officials recommend avoiding the excessive heat by staying in an air-conditioned building if possible. The Jackson County Health Department also gives these heat health recommendations:
• Drink more water. Don't wait until you are thirsty. Avoid liquids containing alcohol or caffeine.
• Schedule outdoor activities before noon or in the evening.
• When temperatures reach into the 90s, a cool shower can offer more help than a fan.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• If you must work in the heat, monitor the condition of co-workers and ask them to do the same for you.
• Rest often in shady areas or, if possible, in air-conditioned facilities.
• Wear wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses and sunscreen to protect yourself.
To see other Jackson County Cooling centers, visit www.jacksongov.org or contact the United Way at 2-1-1 and receive a list of near-by cooling stations by providing your zip code.
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