Charleston will be encased in sweltering heat exceeding temperatures of 100 degrees today and paired with a severely dry summer, Charleston and the surrounding areas are activating the Coles County Cooling Centers today as well as Friday.

The center is located at 119 W. State Street, and will be one of many buildings open to help residents escape the heat.

The centers, which will be open during normal business hours, are the Charleston Carnegie Public Library and the Department of Human Services Office, as well as the Cross County Mall and Mattoon Public Library in Mattoon.

In order to combat today’s heat, Amanda Woolard, the assistant director for the Health Education Resource Center, said it is important for people to be aware of body and its’ necessities.

“During high temperature days, you want to increase your fluid intake—water and sports drinks—no matter your activity,” Woolard said, in an email.  

During high exercise and activity, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends consuming two-to-four glasses of cold, non-alcoholic beverages hourly. 

“Drink fluids—non-alcoholic—before you get thirsty, wear a wide brimmed hat when outdoors, wear sunglasses, apply sunscreen, choose clothing that is lightweight and loosely fitted, stay indoors and avoid the heat,” Woolard said.

Drinking fluids is not enough though, she said.

Woolard said people should also try and consume food with high water content.

“A good choice in food is fruits and vegetables—stay away from anything with a high salt content, (which) will actually dehydrate a person,” Woolard said.

If a person is not properly hydrated they could experience a variety of heat-related illnesses like heat stroke or heat exhaustion, she said.

Signs of heat stroke include having a high body temperature above 103 degrees, dizziness, nausea, red, hot dry or moist skin and unconsciousness, according to the CDC.

Also, according to the CDC, signs of heat exhaustion vary from heavy sweating, nausea to fainting.

People who are more likely to experience heat stroke or sunburns are infants, young children, the elderly and those with mental or physical illness, Woolard said.

To avoid sunburns, Woolard said it is important to use skin protection like sunscreen.

“The proper SPF is 15 and above,” she said. “Follow directions according to the bottle (and) apply regularly to ensure you are covered.”

Looking for the right type of sunscreen is also key, she said.

“The most effective sunscreens are those that say broad spectrum or UVA (and) UVB protection,” Woolard said.

In extreme heat, the CDC said to limit outdoor activity to the morning and night hours when the temperatures tend to be at their lowest.

Woolard agreed.

“If you must be outdoors, rest frequently in shady areas,” Woolard said.

Nike Ogunbodede can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].