- As temperatures are expected to reach three digits Sunday, June 12, Salt Lake County is extending some cooling center hours.
- Heat can be extremely dangerous and people have to take precautions, including cooling down and staying hydrated.
- The multipurpose cooling zones are free to access and are separate from other services and activities.
Salt Lake County is extending the hours and providing access to multiple recreation centers this weekend to help resident “beat the heat.”
It’s expected to be hot, hot, hot this weekend and folks who don’t have air conditioning or a cool place to be could be at risk for health problems.
As Deseret News reported, “It’s a simple but largely unrecognized fact that heat kills more people than any other weather feature — no competitor comes close. And while those most at risk are children, older adults, pregnant women and sick or overweight individuals, according to Ready.gov, anyone can fall victim to high temperatures."
In a news release, the country said it would extend hours Sunday, July 12, until 8 p.m. at five recreation centers so families can stay cool. the centers will designate specific “Cool Zones” within the facility furing normal hours for guests who are escaping the heat, so they won’t have to purchase full access to the recreation center.
“Not all recreation center amenities will be available during the extended Cool Zone hours” that day, per the announcement.
The five centers with extended July 12 hours are:
- Northwest Recreation Center — 1255 Clark Ave. (300 North), Salt Lake City, 10:30 a.m.–8 p.m. (Cool Zone only 2:30–8 p.m.)
- Taylorsville Recreation Center — 4948 S. 2700 West, Taylorsville, 9 a.m.–8 p.m. (Cool Zone only 3–8 p.m.)
- JL Sorenson Recreation Center — 5350 W. Herriman Main Street, Herriman, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. (Cool Zone only 3–8 p.m.)
- Dimple Dell Recreation Center — 10670 S. 1000 East, Sandy, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (Cool Zone only 3–8 p.m.)
- SLC Sports Complex - 645 S. Guardsman Way, Salt Lake City, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (Cool Zone only 5–8 p.m.)
The county’s Cool Zones are air-conditioned with seating for anyone trying to escape the heat. Water and water bottle filling stations may be available at various locations throughout the weekend, per the announcement. A full list of Cooling Zone locations can be found at SLCo.to/zones.
Homeless Resource Centers will be open at their normal hours, while the Weigand Center in Salt Lake at 437 W. 200 South will welcome anyone who needs out of the heat from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Keep cool
Excess heat can be very dangerous and temperatures are expected to climb into three digits this weekend. The county wants residents to be mindful of each other and watch out for neighbors, relatives and pets.
Never leave pets or children in a parked car.
Older adults, young children and those who work outdoors are very vulnerable to heat and heat-related illness.
Cleveland Clinic highlights different degrees of risk from very hot days.
- Heat rash is minor but uncomfortable, creating a stinging red skin irritation.
- Heat cramps are muscle spasms that hurt.
- Heat exhaustion arises from too little fluid and too much time where it’s hot. Signs are lots of sweating, a fast and weak pulse and rapid breathing.
- Heat stroke is a dire emergency, because people can die. When the body temperature rises within minutes to a high level, that temperature has to be lowered fast.
- There are multiple signals you need to cool down to avoid being sick. Signs of dangerous heat illness include looking flushed, exhaustion, muscle cramps, headache, dizziness, vomiting and extreme sweating. Making sure you have enough fluids is as important as getting somewhere cool.
Confusion when you’ve been where it’s too hot is an extremely dangerous indicator.
Per the Deseret News article, “When children show signs of heat illness, age matters. Putting adolescents in an ice bath cools them quicker than other methods. Younger kids can be wrapped in cold wet towels, per Kaiser Health News.”
