Can you take the heat? Here are steps you can take to prevent a heat stroke, death

·2 min read

The sun won’t hold back its power this weekend.

A heat advisory for Tacoma starts at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 13, until 8 p.m. Monday, May 15.

Temperatures are expected to soar as high as 89 degrees Saturday and 90 degrees Sunday. It will linger around the 80s throughout the week until Friday.

Scroll to continue with content
Ad

The risk of heat-related impacts is moderate in the Tacoma area this weekend, according to the National Weather Service. This means this level of heat may affect most people sensitive to it, especially those without a way to keep cool.

The agency suggests drinking plenty of water as well as using sunscreen or a hat. It is also ideal to find an air-conditioned space. Swimming in lakes or rivers is not advised as the water is still cold and the risk of hypothermia is high.

Symptoms of a heat stroke include dizziness, weakness or a headache. Those who experience these must stop what they are doing, move to a cooler location and seek medical help, according to the city of Tacoma’s inclement weather resource page.

Children, dependent adults or pets must not be kept in parked vehicles in hot weather as it can result in death. Those who witness this must call 911 and stay with the vehicle until it is taken care of.

Catholic Community Service’s Nativity House at 702 S. 14th Street has a cooling center open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day. All eight Tacoma Public Library locations are open from 12 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Metro Parks Tacoma has 10 spray parks open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the weekends. All spray parks will also be open from 1 to 8 p.m. Monday, May 15, and Tuesday, May 16, in response to the heat advisory.

The spray parks will be open daily throughout the summer starting Memorial Day. Families can find the most up-to-date information on the agency’s spray park services at metroparkstacoma.org/staycool253.