As temperatures have become dangerously hot, nearing the 100 degree mark in Little Rock, the city is opening three cooling centers Tuesday for those without a place to get out of the heat. At this point they’re scheduled to be open through Friday.
"As the summer heat persists, we will continue to monitor the situation to see how long we may need to keep these cooling centers open," City Manager Bruce Moore said in a press release.
The cooling centers are located at:
Dunbar Community Center, 1001 West 16th Street, 501-376-1084
Monday- Thursday: 7:30 a.m.– 9:30 p.m.
Friday: 7:30 a.m.– 6:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Southwest Community Center, 6401 Baseline Road, 501-918-3975
Monday- Friday: 8:00 a.m.– 9:00 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: closed
East Little Rock Community Center, 2500 East 6th Street, 501-374-2881
Monday – Friday: 9:00am – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Moore also encourages people to check on neighbors and family members who are elderly or have disabilities to make sure they’re doing OK. Exposure to extreme heat can have serious health consequences, especially for the elderly and people without air conditioning in their homes.
"We are pleased to open these facilities during the heat of the day so that those who may need to escape the heat will have a place to do so," Moore said.
The Salvation Army is also hosting its own cooling center separate of the city's efforts at its offices at 1111 West Markham in Little Rock each day this week from 1 to 5 p.m.
In a press release, the group noted that the signs of heat exhaustion include pale, moist skin, as well as heavy sweating and nausea. Symptoms of heat stroke include hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; shallow breathing and high body temperatures.
If someone is experiencing heat exhaustion, seek a cooler place, loosen tight clothing and drink cool water every 15 minutes. Anyone who might be suffering from heat stroke is advised to call 911. Proactive measures to take during this period are to stay in a cool area and drink plenty of water. Dehydration may contribute to many health issues, especially in the young and elderly.
