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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">1005 W. Worley St. <br />Columbia, MO 65203</p></div>
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<h2 style="font-size: 200%;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</h2>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">July 10, 2019</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 75px; font-size: 120%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Contact:
<br />Lucio Bitoy IV
<br />Community Relations Specialist
<br />Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services
<br />573.874.7632
<br />Lucio.Bitoy@CoMo.gov</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:200%;"><h3 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 170%;">Cooling centers, shelters available to the public</h3>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Extreme heat is a major public health concern and the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) encourages everyone to exercise caution in dealing with the heat this summer. </span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for Wednesday, July 10 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. with heat index values around 105 degrees.</span></p>
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<p><strong>Cooling centers</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> are available to the general public during the building's normal business hours. The public is allowed access to public areas, such as lobbies, restrooms, drinking fountains, etc. Columbia’s current cooling centers include: </span></p>
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<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Activity & Recreation Center (ARC) at 1701 W. Ash St. - 573-874-7700</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Armory Sports and Community Center at 701 E. Ash St. - 573-817-5077</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Boone County Government Center at 801 E. Walnut St. - 573-886-4305</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services at 1005 W. Worley St. - 573-874-7355</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Columbia Mall at 2300 Bernadette Drive - 573-445-8458</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Columbia Public Library at 100 W. Broadway - 573-443-3161</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Salvation Army at 1108 W. Ash St. - 573-442-3229</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Salvation Army Harbor House at 602 N. Ann St. - 573-442-1984 </span></li>
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<p><strong>Official shelters</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> provide sleeping accommodations. These locations may or may not include meals. Columbia's official shelters include:</span></p>
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<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">New Life Evangelistic Center (for men) at 901 Wilkes Blvd. - 573-875-0603</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rainbow House (for children/youth) at 1611 Towne Drive - 573-474-3558</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Salvation Army Harbor House at 602 N. Ann St. - 573-442-1984</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">St. Francis House (for men) at 901 Range Line St. - 573-875-4913</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">True North (for victims of domestic violence) - 573-875-1370</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Welcome Home (for veterans) at 1206 Range Line St. - 573-443-8001</span></li>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Exposure to extreme heat can cause a variety of health problems, including heatstroke and even death. Those at greatest risk for heat-related illness include infants and children up to 4 years old, people 65 years old and older, and people who are ill or on certain medications. </span></p>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Heatstroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature: the body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails and the body is unable to cool down. Body temperature may rise to 106 degrees or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heatstroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided. Warning signs of heatstroke vary but may include an extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees), red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating), rapid, strong pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion and loss of consciousness. </span></p>
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<p><strong>Heat-related death or illnesses are preventable if you follow a few simple steps:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Stay in an air-conditioned area during the hottest hours of the day. If you don't have air conditioning in your home, go to a public place such as a shopping mall or a library to stay cool.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wear light, loose-fitting clothing.</span></li>
</ul>
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<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Drink water often. Don't wait until you are thirsty. Stay hydrated.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Avoid unnecessary hard work or activities if you are outside or in a building without air conditioning.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Avoid unnecessary sun exposure. When in the sun, wear a hat, preferably with a wide brim. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Apply sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going out. Continue to reapply it according to the package directions. Look for sunscreens that say "broad spectrum" or "UVA/UVB protection" on their labels, these products work best.</span></li>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">PHHS also offers two lottery programs to assist qualifying Boone County residents with paying their utility bills. H.E.L.P. provides assistance one time annually (five times per lifetime) to low-income families with young children in the home and C.A.S.H., a program that provides assistance to low-income seniors citizens and persons with disabilities. </span></p>
<span style="font-weight: 400;">For more information on cooling centers or our utility assistance programs, please visit the City of Columbia website at </span><a href="http://www.como.gov/Health"><span style="font-weight: 400;">CoMo.gov/Health</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></div>
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