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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt">For Immediate Release<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">June 22, 2009<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Geni Alexander, Public Information Officer<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: right" align=right><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">573.874.7632 or <A href="mailto:gaalexan@GoColumbiaMo.com">gaalexan@GoColumbiaMo.com</A> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">Health Department Urges Caution as Temperatures Rise<o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">Cooling Centers Open for Those Who Need Relief<o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></B></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">The Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services, along with the Columbia/Boone County Office of Emergency Management (OEM), reminds residents to be aware of the many dangers posed by summer weather as we observe “Summer Weather Safety Week” in Missouri. The health department specifically encourages citizens to use caution and common sense now that summer’s intense heat and humidity has arrived. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">The heat is especially dangerous to the very young, the elderly and the chronically ill because they are more vulnerable to the effects of high temperatures. These individuals perspire less and are more likely to take medications that can impair the body's response to heat and make them more sensitive. Some of these medications include antipsychotic, major tranquilizers, antihistamines, over-the-counter sleeping pills, antidepressants and cardiac drugs. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Heat-related illness occurs when the body's temperature control system is overloaded. The body normally cools itself by sweating, but when the humidity is high, sweat will not evaporate as quickly, preventing the body from releasing heat quickly. Very high body temperatures may damage vital organs and spur heat-related illness including heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat strokes.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">There are things you can do to prevent heat related illnesses including:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">•<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>Dress for the heat (light-colored, light-weight clothes) and use a hat or umbrella to block the sun<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">•<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>Drink water and avoid alcohol beverages and caffeine<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">•<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>Eat small meals and eat more often<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">•<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>Stay indoors with air-conditioning when possible<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">•<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>Take regular breaks when physically active <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">The most efficient way to beat the heat is to spend time in an air-conditioned area. Electric fans may be useful to increase comfort or to draw cool air into your home at night, but do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device during a heat wave. Boone County citizens are urged to check on elderly family or neighbors regularly. It is also important never to leave children unattended in hot environments without air-conditioning, including unsupervised vehicles, and to watch for signs and symptoms of dehydration.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">The health department is offering residents who do not have air-conditioning access to Cooling Centers located throughout Columbia. The following locations are open to the public during their regular business hours and provide air-conditioning and/or drinking water. Cooling Centers are not equipped to handle residents in need of medical treatment and should only be used for relief from the heat. <SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt">Columbia Cooling Centers<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">LOCATION<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"> </SPAN>ADDRESS<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">ARC<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 5"> </SPAN>1707 W. Ash Street<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Armory Sports and Community Center<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>701 E. Ash<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Columbia Public Library<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"> </SPAN>100 W. Broadway<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Columbia Mall<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"> </SPAN>2300 Bernadette Dr.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Health Department<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 2"> </SPAN><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>1005 W. Worley<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Oakland Senior Center<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 3"> </SPAN>805 Old Hwy 63 North<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Paquin Towers<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 4"> </SPAN>1201 Paquin Street<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">Additionally, the health department offers two utility assistance programs for qualified Boone County Residents. H.E.L.P. (Heat Energy and Light Program) provides one-time emergency assistance to low income families with young children in the home. C.A.S.H. (Citizens Assisting Seniors and Handicapped) also provides emergency assistance to low-income senior citizens and persons with disabilities.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri','sans-serif'">For more information on Cooling Centers or our utility assistance programs, please visit the City of Columbia website at <U>www.gocolumbiamo.com</U><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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