With temperatures reaching a high near 95 today and heat index values as high as 103, Ouachita County is opening cooling centers to beat the heat.
• Bearden Community Center
North 3rd Street, Bearden
Contact Chief Greeley at 870-686-1236 for access.
• Family Activity Center at Calvary Baptish Church.
East Camden319 US-278
• Cullendale First Baptist Cooling Center
Open 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Come to the office side of the church. Plans to use gym area as well.
The Center for Disease Control recommends.
- Limit your outdoor activity, especially midday when the sun is hottest.
- Wear and reapply sunscreen as indicated on the package.
- Pace your activity. Start activities slow and pick up the pace gradually.
- Drink more water than usual and don't wait until you're thirsty to drink more. Muscle cramping may be an early sign of heat-related illness.
- Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
If you play a sport that practices during hot weather, protect yourself and look out for your teammates:
- If you are wearing a cloth face covering and feel yourself overheating or having trouble breathing, put at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and others and remove the face covering. More safety tips: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heattips.html.
- Schedule workouts and practices earlier or later in the day when the temperature is cooler.
- Monitor a teammate's condition, and have someone do the same for you.
- Seek medical care right away if you or a teammate has symptoms of heat-related illness.
Everyone should take these steps to prevent heat-related illnesses, injuries, and death during hot weather:
- Stay in an air-conditioned indoor location as much as you can.
- Drink plenty of fluids even if you don't feel thirsty.
- Schedule outdoor activities carefully.
- Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing and sunscreen.
- Pace yourself.
- Take cool showers or baths to cool down.
- Check on a friend or neighbor and have someone do the same for you.
- Never leave children or pets in cars.
- Check the local news for health and safety updates.