Stay cool out there!

Summer has truly arrived in Central Arkansas, with temperatures predicted to be about 100 for the next few days. Extreme heat can be deadly, especially for vulnerable members of the population, such as the elderly, disabled and young children; according to the National Weather Service, it is the number one weather-related killer in the country. For tips on how to cope with the heat and how to recognize the various forms of heat distress, check out the CDC Extreme Heat guide.

If you are in Little Rock and the surrounding areas, the city will be opening cooling centers for citizens to come in and cool off. The Salvation Army is also opening a cooling center at 1111 Markham in downtown Little Rock.

Libraries are also a good place to go to escape the heat, and find something to read while you rest inside. To find a public library location near you, check out the Central Arkansas Library's web page. The Arkansas State Library is open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM, we are air conditioned, and we have books about cold places to help you think cool thoughts.

Coping With Extreme Heat

We have been experiencing some extreme heat here in Central Arkansas this past week, and it doesn't look like it is going away any time soon.  The Center for Disease Control has an Extreme Heat page with a lot of helpful information about how to deal with the heat, including how to spot the sign of heat distress in the elderly and guidelines for how much water you should drink and how often you should be drinking it.

Don't forget about your pets during the heat of summer. The ASPCA has hot weather tips for keeping your cats and dogs safe.

Here in Arkansas, most counties are under a burn ban because of the heat and dry conditions. To check if your county is affected, visit the Arkansas Forestry Commission's website.

If you do not have air conditioning at home, the Salvation Army has set up a cooling center at 1111 West Markham that will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. on days when the heat index is above 100. In addition, the City of Little Rock has opened Alert Centers and some community centers to the public. Check this article for more details.

If you need help paying your energy bills on account of the high temperatures, the Central Arkansas Development Council and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program are holding mass enrollment days for low-income residents. Today is the last day for Little Rock and Pulaski County, but other counties in the area still have days scheduled. For more information, please visit the CADC website.

To check the temperatures and the heat index, visit Weather.com or the Weather Underground. NOAA also has weather information and drought status updates for Arkansas.

Stay cool - come to the library!