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Cooling centers in the QC region, how to keep yourself safe during extreme heat

Dangerously high temperatures are forecasted across the region on Monday and Tuesday. Here's how you can keep yourself safe.

DAVENPORT, Iowa — Dangerously high temperatures are forecasted for the greater Quad Cities region on Monday and Tuesday. An excessive heat warning is in effect Monday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and an excessive heat watch is in effect Tuesday morning until the evening. Heat indices are predicted to reach 110 degrees.

We have compiled a list of tips to avoid heat-related illnesses or injuries. 

  • Drink a lot of water or other fluids to stay hydrated. However, avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol. 
  • Take cool showers or baths. 
  • Do not leave children or pets inside cars. The interior temperature can soar up to 120 degrees rapidly, according to the Red Cross. 
  • Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothes. Try to avoid dark clothing that can absorb the sun's rays.
  • Try to limit outdoor activities or postpone them until temperatures go down. 
  • Avoid intense exercising during the hottest times of the day. 
  • For those who have to work outdoors, take frequent breaks and put a buddy system in place in case something happens. Try to take breaks in air conditioning.
  • Make sure to check in on those without air conditioning, who are at risk of being affected by the heat or spend a lot of time alone. 
  • Check on animals and make sure they have cool water and shade. 
  • Wear sunscreen when outside. 

Signs of heat-related illnesses

It's important to know the signs of heat exhaustion in order to act accordingly. Here are some from the American Red Cross:

  • Cool, moist, pale or flushed skin
  • Heavy sweating
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Weakness
  • Exhaustion

If someone is showing signs of heat exhaustion, move them to a cooler place. Remove tight clothing and spray them with water. Wet cloths or towels can also be applied to the skin. In addition, immersing the person in cool water can help. 

According to the Red Cross, heat strokes usually occur when signs of exhaustion are ignored. Changes in consciousness, high body temperature and vomiting are all signs of heat stroke. If someone is showing signs of heat stroke, call 911 and work to cool them down with the tips mentioned above. 

Another ailment that can result from dehydration is kidney stones, according to the University of Iowa Health Care. The stones are formed from calcium and other materials usually filtered out of the kidneys. 

"When the kidneys have a steady flow of fluid moving through them, those bits stay tiny and pass out of the body unnoticed," according to Ryan Steinberg, a urologist at the university. If there is not enough or less fluid present, the "tiny bits" can "stick together and grow.

Cooling centers in the Quad Cities

If your home doesn't have air conditioning, there are public places that can provide some relief from the heat. Public places like libraries or shopping malls are good places to spend time inside for a few hours. 

News 8 has compiled a list of available cooling centers in and around the Quad Cities. 

If you know of one we're missing, please send it our way by emailing news@wqad.com 

Those looking for assistance outside of regular business hours can reach out to the Red Cross 24 hours a day at 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). 

Iowa

Scott County

  • Bettendorf Public Library at 2950 Learning Campus Dr. in Bettendorf 
    • 563-344-4175 
    • Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5:40 p.m., closed Sunday 
  • The Salvation Army Family Services Center at 100 Kirkwood Blvd. in Davenport
    • Open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 26, and Tuesday, Aug. 27
  • Davenport Public Library Main Branch at 321 Main St. in Davenport
    • 563-326-7832 
    • Monday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., closed Sunday 
  • Davenport Public Library Fairmount Branch at 3000 N. Fairmount St. in Davenport 
    • 563-326-7832 
    • Monday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. mto 5:30 p.m., closed Sunday 
  • Davenport Public Library Eastern Branch at 6000 Eastern Ave. in Davenport 
    • 563-326-7832 
    • Monday 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., closed Sunday 
  • Northpark Mall at 320 Kimberly Rd. in Davenport 
    • 563-391-4500 
    • Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 12 to 6 p.m.

Clinton County

  • Clinton County Administrative Building at 1900 N. 3rd St. in Clinton
    • Open Monday, Aug. 26 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Clinton County policy allows the county's administration building to open as a cooling center during regular hours when an excessive heat warning is issued. 

Illinois

Rock Island County

  • East Moline Public Library at 745 16th Ave. in East Moline 
    • 309-755-9614 
    • Monday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., closed Sunday
  • Moline Public Library at 3210 41st St. in Moline 
    • 309-524-2440 
    • Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Southpark Mall at 4500 16th St. in Moline 
    • 309-797-6142 
    • Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Christian Care at 2209 3rd Ave. in Rock Island 
    • 309-786-5734 
    • Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Rock Island Public Library at 401 19th St. in Rock Island 
    • 309-732-7323
    • Monday and Tuesday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10 a.m to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., closed Sunday 
  • Silvis Public Library at 806 1st Ave. in Silvis 
    • 309-755-3393 
    • Monday and Tuesday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., closed Wednesday, Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 pm., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., close Sunday 

Knox County

  • Galesburg YMCA Lobby at 1324 Carl Sandburg Dr. in Galesburg (Temporary/during heat advisories)
    • 309-344-1324 
    • Monday through Thursday 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. 
  • Knox County Housing Authority Shelter at 525/527 Iowa Court in Galesburg 
    • Open daily from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m.
  • Galesburg Public Library at 264 W. Main St. in Galesburg
    • Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • East Galesburg Fire Station at 411 S. State St. in Galesburg
    • Open 24 hours through Thursday, Aug. 29
  • Oneida Fire Station at 210 N Sage St. in Oneida (Temporary/during heat advisories)
    • Open 24 hours through Thursday, Aug. 29
  • Wataga Fire Station at 310 Willard St. in Wataga (Temporary/during heat advisories)
    • Open 24 hours through Thursday, Aug. 29

McDonough County

  • Western Illinois University's Corbin/Olson commons (420 N Western Ave.) and University Union (1 University Cir.) in Macomb (Open to residents as a cooling center this week, Aug. 26-30)
    • Corbin and Olson commons open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; water refill stations available
    • University Union open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Sunday and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday; water refill station and vending machine available

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