Illinois Emergency Management Agency warns of dangerous heat and humidity

Illinois (25 News Now) - The Illinois Emergency Management Agency is offering some tips to help keep you and your loved ones cool during the abnormally high temperatures and humidity this week.

“Heat-related fatalities can be prevented by taking precautions when temperatures rise,” said IEMA Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau. “We ask all Illinoisans to take measures to safeguard their families and check in on friends and neighbors who may be vulnerable to extreme heat and humidity.”

Some tips provided by IEMA include:

Heed all heat watches, warnings, and advisories shared by your local Emergency Management agency
Keep hydrated and avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages
Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing and stay out of the sun when possible
Avoid strenuous activities
Check on your neighbors, particularly older residents, and make sure they are OK
Monitor updates provided by the National Weather Service (NWS) offices: Chicago, Quad Cities, Lincoln, St. Louis, and Paducah

IEMA says there are also currently six cooling centers open across Illinois. One way to find the state cooling center is to call 1-800-843-6154 or check out keepcool.illinois.gov. Additionally, many local municipalities are operating their own cooling centers.

More tips on staying cool are also available at https://www2.illinois.gov/ready/hazards/Pages/ExtremeTempsHot.aspx.