Springfield is under a heat warning. Here are places to stay cool

According to the National Weather Service office in Springfield, a heat warning is in effect for the Springfield area from Monday afternoon through 7 p.m. Thursday.

According to a weather briefing Monday morning, daily high temperatures will be in the 90s all week. Evening lows are expected to be in the 70s. The heat index (how warm it feels when you factor in temperature and humidity) is expected to range from 100 to 110 degrees.

Places to Stay Cool During Heat Alerts

Some parks department family centers — as well as Jordan Valley Ice Park, 735 E. Trafficway St. — open their lobbies as free public cooling centers during heat warnings. The lobbies have seating, access to restrooms and air conditioning.

Jordan Valley Ice Park is open daily from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. These family centers are open as cooling centers during heat warnings from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday:

Chesterfield Family Center2511 W. Republic Road
Dan Kinney Family Center, 2701 S. Blackmanweg
Doling Family Center, 301 E. Talmage Ave.

These locations in the Ozarks are also open as cooling centers during heat warnings:

Ash Grove Sunshine Center310 N. Perryman Ave., Ash Grove
Fair Grove Senior Center122 S. Orchard Blvd., Fair Grove
Republic Senior Friendship Center210 E. Hines St., Republic
Salvation Army Springfield1701 W. Chestnut Expressway, Springfield
Senior Center Southside2215 S. Fremont Ave., Springfield
Strafford Senior Center201 W. Bumgarner Blvd., Strafford

These locations are open as cooling centers even when there is no heat warning:

Ash Grove Branch Library101 E. Main Street, Ash Grove
Fair Grove Library81 S. Orchard Blvd., Fair Grove
Library station2535 N. Kansas Expressway, Springfield
Park Central Branch Library128 Park Central Square, Springfield
Library of the Republic921 N. Lindsey Ave., Republic
Schweitzer Brentwood Branch Library2214 S. Brentwood Blvd., Springfield
Strafford Branch Library101 MO-125, Strafford
Willard Branch Library304 E. Jackson St., Willard
Rare Breeds Youth Services301 N. Main Ave., Springfield
Library center4653 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield

More: Here are some ways to keep air conditioning costs down in the summer heat

Protect yourself from heat-related illnesses

With the high temperatures this week, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and dehydration are possible. The NWS advises people to never leave children or pets in the car, to keep an eye on the elderly who are more sensitive to the heat and to drink water.

According to the NWS, young children, the elderly, people with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women are most vulnerable to heat.

The Springfield-Greene County Health Department offers the following tips to protect yourself from heat-related illness:

Drink plenty of water, even if you are not thirsty. Avoid drinks that contain alcohol or caffeine. Also avoid very cold drinks because they can cause stomach cramps.
Avoid strenuous work or outdoor exercise during the hottest part of the day. If this is not practical, take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water.
Wear light, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
Protect yourself from the sun with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, and use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher (the most effective products will say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels).
Never leave anyone in a locked, parked vehicle.