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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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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">June 11, 2025</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Austin Krohn
<br />Public Information Specialist
<br />Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services
<br />Austin.Krohn@CoMo.gov</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">Cooling centers available to public, tips to avoid heat-related illness</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">This summer, various cooling centers will be available for residents should they need to visit them. The available cooling centers will be operating during their normal business hours. Anyone who needs to use a cooling center will have access to public areas within the center, including lobbies, restrooms and drinking fountains.</span></p>
<p><strong>Cooling centers include:</strong></p>
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<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">ARC (Activity and Recreation Center), 1701 W. Ash St.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">City Hall, 701 E. Broadway</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services, 1005 W. Worley St.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Columbia Public Library, 100 W. Broadway</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Salvation Army, 1108 W. Ash St.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Salvation Army Harbor House, 602 N. Ann St.</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>
<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 Fahrenheit); red, hot, and dry skin (with no sweating); a rapid, strong pulse; a throbbing headache; dizziness; nausea; confusion; and loss of consciousness.</span></p>
<p><strong>Tips to avoid heat-related illness:</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. </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wear light, loose-fitting clothing.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Drink water often. Be sure to drink before you are thirsty. Stay hydrated.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Avoid unnecessary hard work or activities outside or in a building without air conditioning.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Avoid unnecessary sun exposure. Wear a hat when outside, preferably with a wide brim.</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Apply sunscreen SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes before going out. Continue to reapply it according to the package directions. Look for sunscreens that say "broad spectrum".</span></li>
</ul>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For more information on cooling centers, visit </span><a href="https://www.como.gov/health/public-health-safety/warming-and-cooling-centers/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://www.como.gov/health/public-health-safety/warming-and-cooling-centers/</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p></div>
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<div class="content"><strong>Location:</strong> <a href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/6f3861f1e730435182b939631f4731aa/page/page/#widget_32=search_status:%7B%22searchText%22%3A%221005 W. Worley St.%22%7D" target="_blank">1005 W. Worley St.</a></div>
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