In response to a heat advisory by the National Weather Service, Mayor Mike McCauslin opened the city’s cooling center at the Niles Fire Station Complex on Monday.
The complex is located at 1345 East Main St.
Niles City Fire Chief Larry Lamb said as of Monday afternoon, nobody had utilized the center, but it would remain open.
“It’s here if they need it,” Lamb said.
McCauslin ordered the cooling center remain open for the next seven days.
The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory and an excessive heat watch, stating “oppressive heat and humidity” would continue through much of the week.
According to meteorologists, the heat index is expected to reach 95 to 105 degrees for much of the week.
At Plym Park, where the city holds its annual Summer Parks Program, program director Dawn Rouse said she thought the heat had definitely made an impact.
An estimated 32 children had come to the park Monday; that number is down from between 65 and 70 kids who typically come to the park each day.
“I think the heat is keeping a lot of people home,” Rouse said.
Should emergency services receive any heat-related calls, Lamb said the fire department would also be aware of those situations.
For anyone in need, Dial-A-Ride officials said they would also process calls to the center along with their regular operations and advised residents to call early in the case of hour-long response times.
As for tips on how to beat the heat, Lamb said residents have the benefit of easy to access information through the media and online.
“The information’s there,” he said. “It’s obvious, you know — drink plenty of fluids, try to stay cool, look out for the elderly and for children.”
For more information on the weather affecting the area, visit the National Weather Service online at www.weather.gov.