Community Corner

Bellevue Tips for Staying Cool in Mid-90 Heat

Temperatures are expected to reach the mid 90s Thursday and Friday. Bellevue urges people who need to stay cool to visit local community centers during drop-in hours.

What are your plans to stay cool on Thursday and Friday, when the temperatures are expected to hit the mid-90s? 

The city is encouraging residents who need to stay cool to visit the local community centers during drop-in hours.

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

The drop-in hours for each center are available at www.bellevuewa.gov/community_centers.htm or by calling Bellevue Parks & Community Services at 425-452-6885.

Find out what's happening in Bellevuewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Department of Ecology says the high temperatures forecast in the next few days increases the risks of smog and of respiratory illnesses

According to Public Health – Seattle & King County, the highest risk for heat-related illness are older adults, young children, and people with mental illness and chronic diseases. 

Find out what's happening in Bellevuewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The county department offers the following tips to stay cool: 

Staying 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 your elderly neighbors and relatives to take these precautions too.

Drinking liquids

  • Drink plenty of water. Avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol and large amounts of sugar because they can actually de-hydrate your body.
  • Have a beverage with you at all times, and sip or drink frequently. Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink.

Going outside:

  • Limit the time you're in direct sunlight.
  • 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.
  • Avoid sunburn. Use a sunscreen lotion with a high SPF (sun protection factor) rating.

King County offers more tips in English, Spanish, Chinese Vietnamese, Russian and Korean on its Beat the Heat webpage.

The county also advises people who want to go to the water to stay cool to remember to practice on streams and rivers, including using lifejackets, or to consider going to local pools or lifeguarded beaches instead.

After the two days of mid-90-degree weather, expect the heat to break with thunderstorms in the forecast for Sunday, and temperatures back down to the high 70s by Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

What are your plans for beating the heat? Headed to the malls at , or ? Going to the libraries? Are you purchasing an air conditioner?


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