Summer is here! While many people look forward to the warmer summer temperatures, it’s important to remember that hot conditions can turn dangerous quickly and pose a risk to health and safety, especially for infants and children, older adults, and individuals with certain medical and chronic conditions.
Lincoln County is fortunate to have many locally designated cooling centers. A cooling center is an air-conditioned facility where Lincoln County residents are invited to get relief from extreme heat during business hours. Thank you to the following businesses and organizations that have agreed to participate as a cooling center this year. Cooling center signage is displayed at each location.
In Merrill:
• Merrill Enrichment Center, 303 N. Sales St., Merrill
715.536.4226
Monday-Thursday 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Riverside Athletic Club, 500 S. Center Ave., Merrill
715.536.2481
Monday-Thursday 6:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
• T.B. Scott Free Library, 106 W. First St., Merrill
715.536.7191
Monday -Thursday 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Friday, Saturday 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
• Les & Jim’s Lincoln Lanes, 1208 N. Center Ave., Merrill
715.536.9405
Tuesday-Thursday 11:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Friday 11:30 a.m.-11:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:30 a.m.-11:00 p.m.
• Wal-Mart, 505 S. Pine Ridge Ave., Merrill
715.536.2414
Monday-Sunday 6:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.
• Smith Multi-Purpose Center (MARC), 1100 Marc Dr., Merrill
715.536.7313
Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
In Tomahawk:
• Tomahawk Public Library, 300 W. Lincoln Ave., Tomahawk
715.453.2455
Monday-Thursday 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Friday 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
• Senior Community Center, 113 S. Tomahawk Ave., Tomahawk
715.453.5757
Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
• Tomahawk City Hall, 23 N. 2nd St. Tomahawk
715.453.4040
Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
• Strikers Tomahawk Bowl, 309 W. Wisconsin Ave., Tomahawk
715.453.3245
Wednesday-Saturday 12:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.
In Gleason:
• Gleason Bowling Alley, N4878 Hwy 17, Gleason
715.873.4588
Monday, Wednesday-Sunday 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Hot weather safety
Individuals should take the following steps to be safe in extreme heat this summer:
Drink lots of water.
Avoid alcoholic beverages, coffee, tea, and sodas.
Avoid going outside in extreme heat.
Limit outside activity to early morning or late evening.
Wear sunscreen. Sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool down and can make you dehydrated.
If you don’t have air conditioning, keep shades drawn and blinds closed, but windows slightly open.
Keep electric lights off or turned down.
Limit the use of the stove.
Wear lightweight, loose, light-colored clothing.
Take cool baths and showers.
Don’t leave anyone (including pets) in a parked car–even for a few minutes.
Check up on family, friends, and neighbors during extreme heat. If you are unable to reach them, call 911 and request a well-being check.
If your business or organization is interested in being a designated cooling center, contact Kristin Bath, Public Health Educator, at [email protected] or 715.539.1373. A current list of local cooling centers is available at www.lincolncountyhealthdepartment.com. Lincoln County Health Department is always working for a safer and healthier Lincoln County.