The City of Kirkland’s North Kirkland and Peter Kirk Community Centers are available as cooling facilities for residents in need of a break from the extreme hot weather. The facilities will be open with extended hours, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Friday, July 31.
The North Kirkland Community Center is locatedat 12421 103rd Avenue N.E., call 425-587-3350 for information. The Peter Kirk Community Center is located at 352 Kirkland Ave.; 425-587-3360.
Residents may also visit air conditioned places such as a mall, movie theater, library or other public building.
Residents are encouraged to stay cool and safe while enjoying summertime activities. Heat can lead to serious medical problems, particularly for older adults, young children, people with chronic illness, and people with weight or alcohol problems.
Evergreen Hospital Medical Center officials offer these heat wave health tips:
1.Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water or non-alcoholic beverages. Encourage your children and elderly friends and family members to drink often, even if they’re not thirsty.
One easy trick: Give everyone in the family two water bottles. Have one for sipping and one in the freezer. When the one in the freezer gets slushy, pull it out for sipping. Rotate your water bottles throughout the day and night. (Do not fill the bottles completely before putting them in the freezer.)
2.Limit outdoor time. Avoid being outdoors in the sunshine for long periods of time. This isn’t the time to work on your tan! Use a high SPF (sun protection factor) sunscreen. Restrict any outdoor activities to mornings and evenings. Some medications increase sensitivity to heat and sun (check with your physician).
3.What to wear: Wear lightweight and light-colored clothing.
4.Home tricks: Cover windows that face the morning or afternoon sun. If your home is hot, visit a mall, movie theater or other cool, public facility.
5.Free air conditioning: Local cities have designated community centers as cool spots for the public.
6.Be neighborly: Check on your elderly neighbors or neighbors with mobility challenges.
7.Car safety: Do not leave infants, children, elderly people or pets in a parked car. Even in the shade with the windows rolled down, the temperatures can rapidly rise to more than 100 degrees in a vehicle.
8.When to ask for help: Symptoms of heat exhaustion include headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps and dizziness. Move the victim to a cooler spot, let them rest and encourage them to drink a cool beverage. Seek medical attention if they don’t feel better in 30 minutes.
Heat stroke symptoms include an extremely high body temperature; red, hot and dry skin; rapid and strong pulse; nausea, confusion and unconsciousness. Seek medical help immediately.
9.If you have any questions or concerns, call the Evergreen Healthline at 425-899-3000. If this is a life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1.
