Blue Springs, Mo. – The City of Blue Springs has opened Vesper Hall as a Cooling Center in response to the heat advisory for Jackson County issued by the National Weather Service for Thursday June 28 and Friday June 29. On Saturday, June 30, the Fieldhouse will be open for residents looking to escape the heat.
Blue Springs residents can find refuge from the extreme heat at Vesper Hall, 400 NW Vesper, until 9 p.m., Thursday, June 28 and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, June 29. The Fieldhouse, located at 425 NE Mock Avenue, will be open on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for use as a cooling center.
“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 and outdoor pets.”
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.
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.