With temperatures climbing across Oklahoma this week, health experts are urging people to continue taking heat precautions.
EMSA has responded to 115 heat-related illness calls and has transported 70 people to the hospital so far this month in and around Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
Adam Paluka, a spokesman for EMSA, said it's important for people to stay in air-conditioned rooms and out of direct sunlight when possible.
“There's really no excuse for somebody not to take advantage of cooling centers this year,” he said. They're there for the community to take advantage of, and they're there so that we can hopefully avoid any heat-related deaths.”
Below is a map that pinpoints available cooling center locations across the state. Search for your city or county using the table at the end of the article.
Paluka said it’s important for people to stay hydrated and drink between 60 and 80 ounces of water the day before they plan to spend a long time outside. He also said people should wear light-colored, loose-fitted clothes when spending time outdoors.
“When the heat index is above 100 degrees, and you're not prepared for the heat, your body is going to start succumbing to heat-related illness within two minutes of being outside,” he said.
If you do stay outside for a long time, Paluka says the signs of heat exhaustion include nausea, dizziness and body aches. The biggest sign of heat stroke is when a person stops sweating, and if that happens, Paluka says to call 911 immediately.
“The common denominator for every heat-related illness call is somebody is outside,” he said. “No one is immune from the heat. So every single person in Oklahoma needs to take advantage of the opportunity to take heat precautions.”
Financial assistance for summer utility costs
The Oklahoma Department of Human Services is accepting applications for household utility assistance.
TheLow-Income Home Water Assistance Program, or LIHWAP, usesfederal pandemic relief funds to help Oklahomans maintain their access to water and sewer services — that money must be used by September of this year. The program provides a one-time stipend of up to $1,500 that goes directly to the recipients’ utility provider to cover bills.
TheLow-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, works similarly to the water program but for electric and gas utility bills. LIHEAP gives eligible households a one-time payment of the minimum amount needed to help pay their past-due utility balance for the summer and capspayments at $500. People can also apply to help reimburse the cost to buy or repair cooling equipment for up to $150,according to OKDHS.
People can apply for LIHWAP or LIHEAP throughOKDHS’ website, or call at (405) 522-5050 but expect a long wait time while on call. Applicants will have to present their most recent utility bill, utility supplier, a form of ID, social security number and verification of income.
Native households can apply through OKDHS’ website or through their tribal nation. However, OKDHS states Native households cannot receive assistance from both OKDHS and their tribe within the same federal fiscal year — October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023.
Oklahoma’s Weatherization Assistance Program, or WAP, is another federally funded program that helps low-income households look for ways to lower utility bills and save energy.
WAP conducts energy audits on households that qualify for the program and pays for weatherization solutions such as air-conditioning-unit replacements, wall and attic insulation and caulking around windows. Applications are open year-long and can be found by applying through your localCommunity Action Agency group’s website or contacting your localCAA office.
The Tulsa Weather Coalition is a program under the nonprofit Community Service Council that purchases air conditioners for low-income households through donations. Eligible applicants must also live in Tulsa County and have a medical condition that is made worse by heat. Applications for an air conditioner can be found on Tulsa Weather Coalition’s website.
This report was produced by the Oklahoma Public Media Exchange, a collaboration of public media organizations. Help support collaborative journalism by donating at the link at the top of this webpage.
