Red Cross opens cooling stations in Huntingburg and Jasper today

ByMatthew Crane Reading Time: 5 minutes

With the expected hot temperatures and heat indexes predicted over 100 degrees, the American Red Cross is urging residents to take precautions against the heat now.

To help offer relief to those without air conditioning during these periods of hot weather, the Red Cross will open locations throughout the Tri-State Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10am-4pm at the following locations in Dubois County:

  • City Hall in Jasper, 610 Main Street (Thursday & Friday 10a.m.-4p.m.)
  • Arnold F. Habig Community Center, 1301 St. Charles St., Jasper (Thursday & Friday 10a.m.-4p.m.)
  • City Hall in Huntingburg, IN, 508 E. 4th St., Huntingburg (Thursday & Friday 10a.m.-4p.m.)

In the tri-state area:

  • Evansville – American Red Cross, 29 S. Stockwell Road
  • Henderson – American Red Cross, 300 Center Street
  • Owensboro – American Red Cross, 416 West 3rd Street
  • Princeton – American Red Cross, 312 W. State Street
  • Mt. Vernon – American Red Cross, 716 Locust Street, Room 133 (inside Hedges Central Elementary)
  • Boonville – American Red Cross, 499 West State Road 62 (Tri-Cap Building)
  • Washington, American Red Cross, 307 SE 21 Street (Open Wednesday and Thursday 11am-3pm)

A number of other Red Cross partnering agencies & supporters will also have cooling stations open this week to offer relief to those who need it. Those locations are:

  • White County, Carmi – 1112 Oak St.
  • Wabash County, Mt. Carmel – 229 W. 2nd St.
  • Daviess County, KY, Owensboro – Daviess County Library, Frederica Street
  • Perry County, Cannelton & Tell City Library Branches
  • Henderson County, KY, Henderson Senior Center & Henderson Co. Library
  • McLean County, KY, McLean County Library in Calhoun
  • Spencer County, Public Library in Dale, Rockport & Richmond
  • Knox County, Public Library in Vincennes
  • Bicknell Library, 201 West 2nd Street, Bicknell

“These cooling stations whether at your local American Red Cross office or elsewhere, will be available for anyone to visit for a few minutes, an hour, or even longer to cool off during the hottest part of the day and ensure community members do not fall victim to heat related illnesses,” said Matt Bertram, Regional CEO, American Red Cross.

Outside of seeking immediate shelter from the heat & humidity, the Red Cross recommends everyone take a few minutes to review heat related tips to protect yourself. Everyone is at risk when temperatures rise above 90 degrees; and the elderly and the very young are most susceptible to heat and heat-related illnesses.

Heat-related illnesses can cause serious injury and even death if unattended. Signs of heat-related illnesses include nausea, dizziness, flushed or pale skin, heavy sweating and headaches. Persons with heat-related illness should be moved to a cool place, given cool water to drink and ice packs or cool wet cloths should be applied to the skin. If a victim refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number immediately.

Editors Note: Safety tips are now only a few clicks away on mobile devices, thanks to the Red Cross Mobile First Aid App. iPhone & Droid users can download this new application on their phones for free to find the below listed tips and more to help combat the oppressive heat and humidity about to blanket our area.

Red Cross Heat Safety Tips:

  • Prepare. Discuss heat safety precautions with members of your household. Have a plan for what to do if the power goes out.
  • Dress for the heat. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays. It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella.
  • Stay hydrated. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine, which dehydrate the body.
  • Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat.
  • Slow down and avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4 and 7 a.m. Take frequent breaks.
  • Stay indoors when possible. If air-conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine. Remember that electric fans do not cool, they simply circulate the air.
  • Be a good neighbor. During heat waves, check in on family, friends and neighbors who are elderly or ill and those who do not have air conditioning. Check on your animals frequently, too, to make sure they are not suffering from the heat.
  • Learn Red Cross first aid and CPR/AED.

Know What These Heat-Related Terms Mean:

  • Heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms that usually occur in the legs or abdomen. They are caused by exposure to heat and humidity, and loss of fluids. Heat cramps are an early signal that the body is having trouble with the heat.
  • Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs. This results in a form of mild shock. If not treated, the victim may suffer heat stroke. Signals of heat exhaustion include cool, moist, pale flushed or red skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.
  • Heat stroke: Also known as sunstroke, heat stroke is life-threatening. The victim’s temperature-control system, which produces sweat as a way of cooling the body, stops working. Body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Signals include hot, red and dry skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing.

General Care for Heat Emergencies:

  • Heat exhaustion: Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. If the person is fully awake and alert, give half a glass of cool water every 15 minutes, and have the person drink slowly. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths to the skin. Fan the person. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number if the person refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness.
  • Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation! Help is needed fast. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Wrap wet towels or sheets around the body. Use a water hose, if available, to cool the victim. Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body. If the victim refuses water or is vomiting or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.
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