Another heat advisory in Denver for Sunday, August 4 has created the need for cooling centers to be open for the second time in a week. The centers are open during regular business hours at all currently operating recreation centers in the city.

Each center has a designated area with access to drinking water, restrooms, and seating. Denver libraries have similar space available. For information about the library locations visit: denverlibrary.org/locations.

The heat can be dangerous to people and pets. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says those at the highest risk for heat-related illness include people aged 65 and older, young children, and people with chronic illness or mental illness.

The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment provides tips to prevent heat-related illness.

• Stay inside air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. Air conditioning is the number one way to protect yourself against heat-related illness. If your home is not air-conditioned, visit one of Denver’s cooling centers
• Drink more water than usual and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink
• Fans will not prevent heat-related illness in extreme heat; instead take cool showers or baths to cool down
• Don’t use the stove or oven to cook—it will make you and your house hotter
• Don’t drink alcohol or beverages that contain caffeine
• Limit your outdoor activity, especially during the middle of the day when the sun is hottest

If you must be outside during the heat of the day, follow these tips:

• Wear and frequently reapply sunscreen
• Pace your activity and rest often
• Pay attention to muscle cramping, which may be an early sign of heat-related illness. To combat cramping and heat-related illnesses, drink more water than usual
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing and a hat

Denver Animal Protection reminds people to take care of pets during the heat and never leave them alone in cars.

If you suspect an animal is suffering heatstroke:

• Move the animal to shade or a cooler area
• Cool the pet down with water or ice packs on the stomach only
• Offer cool drinking water, but do not force-feed it
• Don’t dunk the pet in water. This can hurt them even more when their temperature regulation is impaired.
• Don’t cover, crate, or confine the animal
• Even if your pet responds to cooling treatments, it’s critical your pet sees an emergency veterinarian to see if it has suffered irreversible damage

If you see a dog in a hot car, immediately call 311 or Denver Animal Protection, 720-913-2080. You should also familiarize yourself with the city’s Good Samaritan law which provides legal immunity to people who break a car window to save an animal. However, to ensure immunity:

• You must believe the animal is in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury
• The vehicle must be locked
• You must make a ‘reasonable effort’ to find the vehicle’s owner
• You must contact the Denver Police Department, Denver Fire or DAP before entering the vehicle
• You cannot use more force than necessary to free the animal
• If you break a window, you must remain with the animal and on scene until police or DAP officers arrive