Chicagoans will face excessive dangerous heat Wednesday Aug. 23 and Thursday Aug. 24, with a heat index that could rise as high as 115 degrees, the National Weather Service alerted.
To stay cool, the City of Chicago will extend hours in its cooling centers for residents looking to escape the dangerous heat. On the West Side, residents can visit cooling centers, as well as public libraries and park district buildings.
The city’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications announced cooling centers will open for extended hours Wednesday and Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
On Chicago’s West Side, the city’s cooling center is located at 10 S. Kedzie Ave. A regional center will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 2102 W. Ogden Avenue.
In Austin, residents can also find refuge from extreme heat at the satellite senior center located at 5071 W. Congress Pkwy.
City officials also recommend all residents take precautions to avoid heat-related illness:
- Drink lots of water and avoid alcohol, caffeine, sodas.
- Stay inside. If residents don’t have air conditioning, keep shades drawn and blinds closed, but windows slightly open.
- Minimize use of lights, oven and stove.
- Apply sunscreen and wear loose, light, cotton clothing and hats with visors if you must spend time outside.
- Take cool baths and showers.
- Do not leave anyone, including pets, in a parked car, even for a few minutes.
Some of the city’s outdoor programming has been shifted to indoor facilities, where residents can also cool off while enjoying a fun time.
North Lawndale residents can join today’s Chicago SummerDance event at Douglass Park, which will now take place inside the fieldhouse starting at 4:30 p.m. This free summer staple brings creative activities, dance classes and music to families, in partnership with The Firehouse Community Arts Center.
To receive the latest updates on heat advisories, Chicagoans can register for the city’s emergency alert notification at NotifyChicago.org
