MOUNT VERNON – When an arctic blast hit Knox County in January, bringing with it highs below zero and a -40 degree windchill, the Salvation Army of Mount Vernon opened its doors as a warming center.
Now, with excessive heat expected in the coming days, the organization plans to offer refuge once again.
The Salvation Army, located at 206 E. Ohio Avenue, will serve as a cooling center from 12-3 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. Those who come can utilize the facility’s air-conditioned conference room, where the Salvation Army will provide cold water, cards and movies to watch.
“With the high temperatures and the rise of homelessness in the area, we just want everyone to be safe and have a spot to cool off and get some fresh water,” Salvation Army Social Service Coordinator Amber Brady said. “Our hope behind it is that nobody is sitting out in the heat and getting sick – that’s the last thing we want to happen. We don’t want anyone sick or dehydrated.”
Brady said that in her four years working with the Salvation Army, this is the first time she can remember it being offered as a cooling station.
The National Weather Service office in Cleveland has issued an “excessive heat watch” from Friday afternoon through Saturday evening for all of north central Ohio, including Richland, Ashland, Knox and Crawford counties. Temperatures will reach the 90-degree mark on Thursday, with highs expected to climb into the upper-90s by Friday and Saturday.
Heat indices (which account for heat and humidity) will range from 105 to 112 this weekend, according to the NWS. The NWS warned against leaving pets, children or the elderly unattended in vehicles during this kind of heat, as car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.
The Fredericktown Police Department has also opened its doors as a cooling station this weekend, according to a Facebook post. The station’s community room is open now through the weekend, and cold water will be provided.
First responders at the Eastern Knox County Joint Fire District were unaware of any cooling stations on the eastern side of the county. Attempts to reach the Central Ohio Joint Fire District in Centerburg were unsuccessful.
The Knox County Health Department issued a press release Thursday warning of the dangers of high heat and humidity.
“It’s important to be aware that some medical conditions and medications can affect your body temperature,” Health Commissioner Julie Miller said. “Conditions such as heart disease, alcoholism, respiratory disease and diabetes can make it easier for the body to overheat, increasing the possibility of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.”
According to the Ohio Department of Mental Health, medications that can affect the body’s ability to deal with excessive heat include almost all psychotropic drugs, diuretics, anti-Parkinson medications, amphetamines, beta-blockers and narcotic pain medications. Common psychotropic medications include Cymbalta, Effexor, Lexapro, Paxil, Prozac, Seroquel, Wellbrutrin, Zyban and Zoloft.
“People should be aware of the possible side effects of their medications and avoid high-heat situations,” Miller said.
Certain medications for intestinal disorders or antihistamines can make it more difficult to perspire, the press release said. Other medications, such as decongestants or those with stimulants like caffeine, can increase one’s internal heat load.
Pharmacists will be able to tell patients if certain medications warrant extra precaution in the heat, Miller said.
The Health Department also shared common signs of heat-related illnesses, such as heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or fainting. People experiencing these symptoms should be moved to a cool, shady or air-conditioned area, and provided cool, nonalcoholic beverages.
In general, the Health Department recommended residents stay inside and drink lots of water over the next few days. Aside from the cooling stations in Mount Vernon and Fredericktown, residents can visit libraries, retail stores or the movie theater to stay out of the heat.
It’s also important to check on neighbors during a heat wave, the press release stated, especially if they are older or have disabilities. Children and teens in team sports should be monitored closely for signs of heat stress. People should also pay special attention to their pets, who will need more water and shade than usual as temperatures rise.
As the weather gets hotter, air conditioning units and fans begin working harder, which can lead to power outages. Residents are encouraged to have a backup plan in case this occurs, including extra supplies of water and food.
The Health Department advised those who go swimming in the heat to understand that they can still become dehydrated and sunburnt in the water. The Knox County Park District urges swimmers to learn the height, flow rate, depth and temperature of a body of water before entering.
