Heat Sheet

The City of Columbia is committed to providing public health services that prevent epidemics and the spread of disease, protect against environmental hazards, promote healthy behaviors, prevent injuries and illness, assure the quality and accessibility of health services, monitor the health of the population, provide social services and promote and protect civil rights.

Heat Safety Sheet

Tips:

Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Wear a hat or use an umbrella.
Drink water. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine.
Eat small meals and eat more often. Stay in doors when possible.
Take regular breaks. If engaged in physical activity on warm days, stop activity and find a cool place.

Heat Related Illnesses

Heat Cramps: Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion. They usually involve the abdominal muscles or legs.
Heat Exhaustion: Heat exhaustion is less dangerous than heat stroke. It typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a warm, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Signs to watch for include cool, moist, pale, flushed or red skin, heavy sweating, headache, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.
Heat stroke: Also known as sunstroke, heat stroke is life threatening. Symptoms include: hot, red and dry skin, changes in consciousness, rapid weak pulse, and rapid/shallow breathing.

Care for Heat Emergencies

Get the person to a cooler place and have him/her rest in a comfortable position.
If the person is fully awake and alert give ½ glass of water every 15 minutes, drink slowly. No liquids with alcohol or caffeine.
Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths.
Call 9-1-1 if the person refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness.

COOLing Centers

Each location listed below is a designated COOLing Center. When a heat advisory is issued for Columbia/Boone County residents may seek indoor air conditioned shelter from extreme temperatures. COOLing Centers are open during the regular business hours of each location and only during the time that a heat advisory is issued. All COOLing Centers are located on the Columbia Transit bus routes.

Location	Address	Bus Line
Activity & Recreation Center (ARC)	1701 W. Ash Street	Red
Armory Sports and Community Center	701 E. Ash	Blue
Columbia Public Library	100 W. Broadway	Red
Columbia Mall	2300 Bernadette Dr.	Green and Blue
Columbia/Boone County Health Dept.	1005 W. Worley	Green
Columbia Parks and Recreation office	601 Business Loop 70	Blue
Oakland Senior Center	1301 Vandiver Dr. Ste. Q	Orange
Paquin Towers	1201 Paquin Street	Red

Updated information on heat advisories issued for this area, COOLing Center locations, and ways to avoid dangerous heat related illnesses are also available by calling the heat hotline at 573-874-7355.

Additional Information

Extreme Heat Information From Office of Emergency Management