Cooling Stations Offer Relief from Heat
It was 116-degrees in Tulsa yesterday and I worried about the folks, elderly and poor, without air conditioning. The previous evening, Demetrius and I were having dinner with a neighbor and her air conditioning went out an hour before dinner – the AC repairman showed up at 9:30pm.
So, yesterday I said a little prayer for those without air conditioning AND for the AC repairmen willing to work such late hours.
This morning I read that Tulsa has set up some cooling stations, so I wanted to pass this along. If you know of someone without air conditioning, please get this information to them.
On a positive note, thunderstorms and 30% chance of rain are predicted this evening and the temperatures are dropping to 111-degrees this weekend – maybe more rain on Saturday.
Tulsans who need to get out of the heat and into some air conditioning can go to a cooling station to find relief. Tulsa has three cooling stations, which are currently operational:
Tulsa County Social Services
2401 Charles Page Blvd., Tulsa, OK
Operational hours: 8:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m., seven days a week
Salvation Army Center of Hope
102 N. Denver Ave., Tulsa, OK
Operational hours: open 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
621 E. 4th St.
Tulsa, OK 74120
Operational hours: noon to 9 p.m., seven days a week
The extremely hot weather poses health hazards and everyone needs to take proper precautions:
- Plan your outdoor activities wisely, such as mowing the yard, washing the car, running, or bicycling. These activities can be accomplished more safely in the early morning hours or just before the sun sets.
- Stay out of the heat and stay indoors. If no air conditioning is available, visit a cooling station or public buildings such as libraries or malls.
- Drink plenty of non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated fluids, such as water or sports drinks. The U.S. Department of Health recommends you drink two to four glasses of water every hour while working or playing outside in the heat.
- Avoid sunburns and the long-term risk of skin cancer by wearing lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and use a sunscreen of at least an SPF of 30 that is a broad spectrum.
- Never leave a child (or a pet) unattended in a car for any length of time.
If you are experiencing symptoms of a heat-related illness, such as a persistently rapid heartbeat, a throbbing headache, dizziness, confusion, weakness or muscle cramps, call 9-1-1.
