Community centers to open in Bellevue for drop-in cooling

With temperatures expected to reach the 90s Thursday and Friday, several Bellevue community centers will be open during drop-in hours to help residents stay cool.

August 15, 2012 5:42 pm

With temperatures expected to reach the 90s Thursday and Friday, several Bellevue community centers will be open during drop-in hours to help residents stay cool.

  • Crossroads Community Center, 16000 NE 10th St., 425-452-4874
  • Highland Community Center, 14224 Bel-Red Road, 425, 452-7686
  • North Bellevue Community Center, 4063 148th Ave. N.E., 425-452-7681
  • South Bellevue Community Center, 14509 SE Newport Way, 425-452-4240

For drop-in hours at each center, visit www.bellevuewa.gov/community_centers.htm or call Bellevue Parks & Community Services at 425-452-6885.

When outside temperatures are very high, the danger for heat-related illnesses rises. Older adults, young children, and people with mental illness and chronic diseases are at particularly high risk.

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The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat watch for Thursday and Friday. Public Health – Seattle & King County offers the following tips to stay cool:

  • Spend more time in air conditioned places. If you don’t have air conditioning, consider visiting a mall, movie theater or other cool public places.
  • Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun.
  • Dress in lightweight clothing.
  • Check up on elderly neighbors and relatives and encourage them to take these precautions too.
  • Drink plenty of water. Avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol and large amounts of sugar because they can actually dehydrate your body.

If you go outside:

  • Limit the time you’re in direct sunlight and do not leave infants, children, people with mobility challenges and pets in a parked car, even with the window rolled down. Avoid or reduce doing activities that are tiring, or take a lot of energy. Do outdoor activities in the cooler morning and evening hours.

King County offers more tips in English, Spanish, Chinese Vietnamese, Russian and Korean on its Beat the Heat webpage (www.kingcounty.gov/health/beattheheat.aspx).

Water safety:

  • Some people turn to local rivers to cool off, but drowning is a real concern. Officials advise people to use caution and wear a personal flotation device on the water. Find deals on affordable life jackets at http://www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/injury/water/pfd.aspx
  • And if you want to swim, choose a safer location – visit a local pool or lifeguarded beach instead.
  • Bellevue Parks & Community Services provides lifeguards at six beaches and the indoor Bellevue Aquatic Center. For lifeguard information, visit http://www.bellevuewa.gov/beach_lifeguard_sched.htm or call 425-452-4444.