Detroit Opens Cooling Shelters As Temps Soar Into The 90s

DETROIT, MI — Numerous cooling shelters are open at libraries and recreation centers across Detroit as temperatures are expected to reach into the 90s in the first heat wave of the season. The hot weather also is causing dozens of water breaks around town, officials said.

The hot, humid weather carries the risk for thunderstorms through Saturday, the National Weather Service said, and the Department of Environmental Quality has extended an air-quality alert through Monday. In Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, Washtenaw, Livingston, Monroe and St. Clair counties.

During air-quality alerts, people and businesses are encouraged to avoid activities that can lead to ozone formation, including refueling vehicles, using gasoline-powered lawn equipment and using charcoal lighting fluid. Instead, consider car pooling or biking and delaying or combining errands. Active children and adults, as well as people with respiratory diseases such as asthma, are encouraged to limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

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Detroit Water Department Director Gary Brown told WWJ/CBS Detroit that at least 25 water mains had broken by mid-day Monday, explaining that hot temperatures put some of the same stresses on pipes as cold temperatures.

Detroit cooling shelters that will be open Monday, and throughout the summer during excessively hot days include:

Recreation Centers (call the Detroit Parks & Recreation Department at (313) 224-1100 for more information):

• Adam / Butzel Center 10500 Lyndon Monday - Friday 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Butzel Family 7737 Kercheval Monday - Friday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• Clemente Center 2631 Bagley Monday - Friday 1 p.m. - 9 p.m.
• Crowell Recreation Center 16630 Lahser Road Monday – Friday 1 p.m. - 9 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Coleman A. Young Recreation Center 2751 Robert Bradby Dr. Monday – Friday 6 a.m.- 9 p.m.Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Farwell Recreation Center 2711 E. Outer Drive Monday – Friday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• Heilmann Center 19601 Crusade Monday - Friday 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Lasky Center 13200 Fenelon Monday - Friday 1 p.m. - 9 p.m.
• Northwest Activities Center 18100 Meyers Monday - Friday 6 a.m. 10 p.m. Saturday - Sunday 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.
• Patton Recreation Center 2301 Woodmere Monday – Friday 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Williams Center 8431 Rosa Parks Monday - Friday 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Libraries

• Main Library - 5201 Woodward Avenue, near Warren | (313) 481-1300 T, W: Noon - 8 p.m. | Th, F, Sa: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Campbell Branch - 8733 W. Vernor | (313) 481-1550 M, W: Noon - 8 p.m. | T, Th, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Chaney Branch - 16101 Grand River, near Greenfield | (313) 481-1570 M, W, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. | T, Th: Noon - 8 p.m.
• Chase Branch - 17731 W. Seven Mile, near Southfield | (313) 481-1580 M, W, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. | T, Th: Noon - 8 p.m.
• Conely Branch - 4600 Martin, near Michigan | (313) 481-1590 M, W, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. | T, Th: Noon - 8 p.m.
• Franklin Branch - 13651 E. McNichols, near Gratiot | (313) 481-1740 M, W, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. | T, Th: Noon - 8 p.m.
• Hubbard Branch - 12929 W. McNichols, near James Couzens | (313) 481-1750 M, W: Noon - 8 p.m.| T, Th, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Thomas Jefferson Branch - 12350 E. Outer Drive, near E. Warren | (313) 481-1760 M, W: Noon - 8 p.m. | T, Th, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Knapp Branch - 13330 Conant, near E. Davison | (313) 481-1770 M, W: Noon - 8 p.m. | T, Th, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Parkman Branch - 1766 Oakman Blvd., near Linwood | (313) 481-1810 M, W: Noon - 8 p.m. | T, Th, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Redford Branch - 21200 Grand River, near W. McNichols | (313) 481-1820 M, W: Noon - 8 p.m. | T, Th, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Sherwood Forest Branch - 7117 W. Seven Mile, near Livernois | (313) 481-1840 M, W, F: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. | T, Th: Noon - 8 p.m.
• Skillman Branch - 121 Gratiot, near Library Street | (313) 481-1850 M, T, W, Th, F: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Signs of heat-related illness include headache, dizziness nausea, heavy sweating, confusion and pale or flushed skin. The American Red Cross recommends the following treatment for people suffering from heat-related illness:

• Move the victim to a cool place.
• Give him or her cool water to drink.
• Apply ice packs or cool wet cloths to the skin.
• If a victim refuses water, vomits, or loses consciousness, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Tips for preventing heat-related illness

• Stay indoors if possible. Stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air-conditioning, go to a public place that does, including the City of Detroit cooling centers. If outside, stay in the shade.
• Drink water. Even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body.
• Wear light-colored clothing. (Avoid wearing black clothes, especially if you're in direct sunlight.) Loose fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing reflects heat. Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
• Never leave a person, especially children or the elderly, or a pet in a closed, parked vehicle. The temperature inside the car can become 30 to 40 degrees hotter than the outside temperature.
• Slow down and avoid strenuous activity. If you must work outside, take frequent breaks.
• Visit at-risk people twice a day and watch them for signs of heat illness.
• Speak with your doctor about any medications you are taking to learn whether they may interfere with your body’s ability to regulate temperature.
• Do not use salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.

Photo by Guian Bolisay via Flickr Commons