Seek relief when temperatures soar

With the highest temperatures of the season typically coming during the summer, public health officials are advising residents to protect themselves and their loved ones from the sometimes severe consequences of extreme heat.

On excessively hot days, residents are encouraged to check on relatives, friends and neighbors who may be vulnerable to heat-related illnesses or not have access to air conditioning. 

While everyone is susceptible to heat-related illnesses, infants and young children, the elderly, people with mental illness and the physically ill, particularly those with heart disease or high blood pressure, are at greater risk.

To avoid overheating, Oak Park health officials recommend trying to stay out of the sun, wearing light, loose-fitting clothing, drinking water often and avoiding strenuous outdoors activities.

Learn more about staying safe as temperatures soar at www.ready.gov/heat. For the latest updates from the National Weather Service, visit www.weather.gov/lot.

Cooling center information:

Oak Park Temple, 1235 N. Harlem Ave., serves as Oak Park's primary cooling center. The cooling center is actviated when the National Weather Service Heat Risk Index indicates temperatures in Oak Park will pose either a major or extreme risk to the population; or, when outdoor temperatures reach 95 degrees or above, or when there is a heat index of 103 degrees or above for an expected period of 12 or more hours.

All three branches of Oak Park Public Library serve as cooling centers during regular business hours – click here for hours and locations.

The Cook County Department of Emergency Management and Regional Security also provides an updated list of cooling centers for residents who do not have access to air conditioning - click here to view. For a list of cooling centers in Chicago, click here.

For more information, contact the Oak Park Health Department at health@oak-park.us or 708.358.5480.