The Jasper County Health Department reminds people to take measures to stay cool, remain hydrated, and keep informed. Getting too hot can make you sick. You can become ill from the heat if your body can’t compensate for it and properly cool you off.
Everyone should take these steps to prevent heat-related illnesses, injuries, and deaths during hot weather:
1. Stay in an air-conditioned indoor location as much as possible.
2. Drink plenty of fluids even if you don’t feel thirsty.
3. Schedule outdoor activities carefully.
4. Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing and sunscreen.
5. Pace yourself.
6. Take cool showers or baths to cool down.
7. Check on a friend or neighbor and have someone do the same for you.
8. Never leave children or pets in cars.
9. Check the local news for health and safety updates.
To provide a cool place for people to get out of the heat, local organizations, businesses, public facilities often open their doors. The Jasper County Health Department wants to remind people of options for places to cool down, such as shopping malls or stores, community centers, public libraries, coffee shops and restaurants, hospitals, churches, friends or families homes.
• Baxter Community Room/City Hall Building: 203 S. Main St, in Baxter hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 641-227-3120.
• Mingo City Hall: 100 N. Station St. in Mingo, hours are 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday and 8 to 11 a.m. Friday, 641-363-4441.
• Jasper County Community Center: 2401 First Ave. E. in Newton, open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 641-792-7102.
• Newton YMCA: 701 S. Eighth Ave. E. in Newton, call for times and questions at 641-792-4006.
• Salvation Army: 301 N. Second Ave. E. in Newton, call for times and questions at 641-792-6131.
• Newton Public Library: 100 N. Third Ave. W. in Newton, hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and closed on Sundays, 641-792-4108.
For all Social Services Information and Referrals, call United Way 2-1-1: Call 211