SPOKANE, Wash. – With temperatures set to rise in the coming days, Spokane residents are being urged to take precautions against the heat. Cooling locations, including local libraries, are opening their doors to help people stay safe.
The Spokane Regional Health District emphasized the importance of knowing where to cool down during heat waves. All public libraries in the city are listed as cooling locations on the city’s website. Officials also suggested visiting friends with air conditioning or spending time in air-conditioned public places like malls.
Kelli Hawkins from the Spokane Regional Health District explained the signs of heat illness.
“Heat exhaustion you feel faint and dizzy you’re sweating a lot, your skin becomes cool and clammy, you might be nauseous. When those symptoms turn into a throbbing headache, or you stop sweating, your body temperature goes above 103 degrees Fahrenheit, you still feel nauseous, but you get a rapid really strong pulse — that’s when you’re going into heat stroke and it’s really important that you call 9-1-1,” Hawkins said.
For those working outside, staying cool involves wearing breathable, light-colored clothing, drinking plenty of water and taking frequent breaks. Spokane Regional Health also warned about the dangers of severe sunburns, reminding residents to use sunscreen.
