City of Dover opens cooling center

posted on: 7/2/2018

Due to the weather, the City of Dover has opened a cooling center to help provide relief from the heat. The cooling center is located in the McConnell Center cafeteria and will be open during regular hours, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. The McConnell Center is closed on Wednesday for the Independence Day holiday.

Those seeking to use the cooling center should enter the McConnell Center through Door #3 and check in at the Recreation Department front desk for directions to the cooling center locations.

A heat advisory is in effect for Dover today, according to the National Weather Service. A period of hot temperatures in the mid-90s is expected to continue into the evening. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible.

As the hot and humid weather continues, Fire Chief Eric Hagman urges residents to check on elderly neighbors, stay indoors if possible during the hottest part of the day, wear light-colored clothing while outside, and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day. The combination of heat and high humidity can put people at risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

People who work or exercise outside or in hot environments, and children attending summer camps or outdoor sports practices should take extra precautions.

To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency: call 911.

Care of pets is also important throughout this weather. Make sure pets have plenty of water to drink and are not left unattended in vehicles, where the temperature can reach 120 degrees quickly.

For more information, contact Dover Fire and Rescue at 603-516-6148.