UNDATED (WKZO-AM) — Today could be the hottest day in several years.
Cooling centers will be open this afternoon at the Douglas Community Center on Patterson Street, Mt. Zion Baptist Church on Roberson Street in Kalamazoo and the Salvation Army on Capital Avenue in Battle Creek,
Most people are equipped to deal with the heat, because their bodies send them signals and they can find a way to cool off. You feel a little woozy, you sweat through your deodorant, and you know what to do.
It’s the very young who can’t jump up and grab a drink, and elderly adults, who react to heat differently that need to be watched. Dr. Brad Uren with the University of Michigan’s Department of Emergency Medicine said elderly people exhibit confusion when they’re overheated.
Uren said it’s a good idea to postpone outdoor activities and limit exposure to the sun. He said it’s also wise to drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine, limit alcoholic beverages and dress in loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothing.
It’s also a good idea to spend the warmest part of the day in temperature-controlled buildings.
