GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- The National Weather Service issued an Extreme Heat Watch that will be in effect from Saturday afternoon through Tuesday evening for the following counties: Kent, Ottawa, Allegan, Barry, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Jackson, Kalamazoo and Van Buren.
The Extreme Heat Watch may turn into a warning during the weekend.
The Kent County Health Department is offering some tips to avoid heat-related health problems.
"Wearing lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing to help stay cool. Taking breaks in cool spaces like libraries, malls. There's a list of cooling shelters available through the Grand Rapids Area Coalition to End Homelessness, Christina Anthony said in a phone interview with WOOD Radio. She is the Communications Manager for the Kent County Health Department.
The Salvation Army is opening some cooling centers, as well. The list is posted at the end of this article.
In Holland, the Gateway Men’s Center on South River Street and the Gateway Women & Children’s Center on Fairbanks Avenue will be open for unsheltered people. The cooling centers will be open during the day through Monday.
"Check on your family members, check on the older adults around you, check on neighbors. And also, double check your car when you are leaving it. Do not leave people or pets in a parked car. Temperatures within that parked car can become fatal within just a few minutes," Anthony said.
Making things even worse Saturday is that the state has issued an Air Quality Advisory will be in effect for elevated levels of ozone in Kent and the lakeshore counties.
"This is a long period of hot weather that's going to be exacerbated by humidity and sunshine. It's going to impact everyone," Anthony said. "But it's especially going to impact certain groups of people like your older adults, your young children, folks that have chronic health conditions."
Anthony recommends drinking plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated - even when you don't feel thirsty. And try to avoid things that may dehydrate you like alcohol and caffeine.
You also should be able to detect signs of heat-related illness.
"So, we're talking about heat exhaustion. Heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, headache - which can quickly turn into heat stroke. And heat stroke can be a life-threatening emergency.
The Salvation Army says in a news release it is opening some cooling centers:
All locations will serve as cooling centers during normal business hours and provide other services as well. For more information about additional assistance, you should contact your local Salvation Army.
BARRY & CALHOUN COUNTIES
The Salvation Army of Battle Creek
(269) 963-3640
400 Capital Ave. NE
Battle Creek, MI 49017
Open M-F from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Meals served in Sally’s Kitchen (located in Salvation Army) M-F from 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
KALAMAZOO COUNTY
The Salvation Army of Kalamazoo County
(269) 344-6119
1700 S Burdick St.
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Open M-F 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
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