Marion community center opens to provide relief from heat

Aug 3, 2022

MARION – The Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center at 465 Mill St. will be open to any resident who needs relief from the heat on Thursday, Aug. 4 and Friday, Aug. 5. The Community Center is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

To prevent illness and injuries, residents are reminded of the following safety tips from the American Red Cross and National Safety Council.

For heat safety, drink plenty of fluids, like water, even if you do not feel thirsty, and avoid alcoholic beverages, drinks with caffeine and large amounts of sugar — these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Residents are also advised to wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing and avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays. Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going out.

If you’re outside, find shade and minimize direct exposure to the sun. Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day, which is typically around 3 p.m. Avoid extreme temperature changes and take frequent breaks if working outdoors.

Residents should check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat. If someone doesn’t have air conditioning, they should seek relief from the heat during the warmest part of the day in places like libraries, theaters or malls.

On hot days, cars can be deadly. Never leave children or pets in your vehicle. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach over 100 degrees, even on a 70 degree day. Check on animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat. Make sure they have plenty of cool water.

They also offered additional tips for parents, which include limiting playtime at peak sun exposure, avoiding burns, and learning to recognize the signs of heat illness in children.

Heat cramps can be recognized by heavy sweating, muscle pain, and spasms. 

If you have heat cramps, stop physical activity, drink water, and wait for the cramps to go away before doing more physical activity. Seek medical help if the cramps last more than an hour. 

You can spot heat exhaustion by looking for heavy sweating, cold, pale, or clammy skin, a fast and weak pulse, nausea or vomiting, muscle cramps, tiredness or weakness, dizziness, headache, or fainting.

Get medical help if you are throwing up, your symptoms get worse or symptoms last longer than one hour.

Recognize heat stroke by looking for high body temperature, hot, red, dry or damp skin, a fast and strong pulse, headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, or passing out.

If you expect someone is having a heat stroke, call 911 right away. It is considered a medical emergency. Move the person to a cooler place and try to lower their temperature with cool cloths or a bath. Do not give that person anything to drink.