The Village of Park Forest is opening cooling centers as precariously high temperatures are forecasted this week.
The Park Forest Police Department, 200 Lakewood Boulevard, and Village Hall, 350 Victory Drive, will serve as cooling centers for the Village amid the heat wave. Residents can visit Village Hall during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the police station is open 24 hours a day.
Village officials warn residents to be mindful of heat-related illnesses - such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Symptoms of heatstroke include:
- An extremely high body temperature, such as 103 degrees or above
- Dizziness and nausea
- A throbbing headache and a pulse that is rapid and strong
- Skin that is red, hot, and dry
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
- Heavy sweating,
- Weakness or tiredness,
- Cool, pale, clammy skin; fast,
- Weak pulse
- Muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, headache, fainting,
Meteorologists forecast daytime temperatures will top out around 90 degrees on Tuesday and will continue to rise to the mid and upper 90s by Friday. With the high humidity and dew points expected to be in the 70s, forecasters predict heat index values, which is what it will feel like, will soar into the triple digits - making it some of the hottest air of the season.
Village officials urge residents to check on the most vulnerable and limit their time outdoors during this upcoming heat wave.