(WLTX) - With high heat in the Midlands, people are looking for a place to get some relief.
The City of Columbia, Richland County, and the town of Lexington have opened cooling stations. Here's a list of what's available.
Columbia/Richland County:
Owens Field Park, by the concession stand, next to skate park. 1351 Jim Hamilton Blvd 29205
Gable Oaks Apartment Complex near playground, 901 Colleton St 29203
Rosewood Park near the playground, 901 South Holly St 29205
Hyatt Park beside building, 950 Jackson Ave 29203
MLK Park at the corner of Greene & Pendleton streets. 2300 Greene St 29205
Finlay Park. Two are near the playground, one is on the far side of the pond, on the walkway
Riverfront Park, one at the Williams Street entrance, one on the pathway near the park ranger office. 312 Laurel St 29201
Cooling Stations open 11am - 6pm seven days a week while the heat index is at 90° or higher.
Town of Lexington:
Corley Street Park
Caractor Park
Town of Lexington has spray misters for people to cool off in from 8am - 4pm and will be open to everyone through Labor day.
Heat injuries are dangerous and can be life threatening. If you are working or playing outside it's important to take special safety precautions.
The Columbia-Richland Fire Department has released a list of safety tips to keep in mind.
• During the hottest hours of the day, stay inside. If possible stay inside an air-conditioned building.
• During the hottest summer months the CDC recommends visiting elderly family or friends twice a day.
• Get to know the neighbors - isolated elderly adults are at a much higher risk of heat related health problems and death.
• Supervise children - children rely on adults to tell them when to come inside, when to drink water, and what sort of clothing to wear. It doesn't take long for a child's small body to become overheated.
• Dress lightly and when sleeping uses lightweight breathable covers.
• Drink plenty of water.
• People who live in homes with no air conditioning should keep blinds closed from morning until the late afternoon to block extra direct heat from sunlight. Also, stay on the lowest level of your home.
• Never ever leave a child or pet in the car while you run to do a quick errand.
• If you see any of the exhaustion signs listed below get out of the heat immediately. Give the person plenty of cool fluids and wipe them down with cool cloths. If they don't improve rapidly call 911.
The signs of heat exhaustion include:
• Clammy skin
• Loss of color in skin
• Sweating
• A tired, overestimated look on someone's face
• Dry mouth
• Headache
The signs of major heat stroke:
• High body temperatures - (over 103 degrees F)
• Confusion
• Poor breathing - if you can't hear a person breathing it can indicate a problem
• Seizures
• The person has stopped sweating
• Weak pulse
• Hot dry skin to the touch
• Fainting or total loss of consciousness