With another wave of heat arriving this week, Kansas City is reminding residents to take advantage of the cool options available to find comfort while safely taking shelter. 

The City’s 10 community centers will serve as cooling centers during normal business hours. In addition to the community centers, most of the City’s free spraygrounds are open and can provide relief. 

Cooling buses will also help cover temperature spikes this week. These will be stationed at 31st & Van Brunt and Barney Allis Plaza, where there is significant transfer activity. Additionally, KCATA has opened the passenger waiting area at the East Village Transfer Center. The buses will be available between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. but that schedule may be adjusted if conditions change. 

The unhoused population is often more vulnerable to extreme weather conditions, so making sure resources are easily accessible for residents who might need help is a priority. 

Here are additional ways to stay cool: 

• Buses and the streetcar are free to ride, and air-conditioned. You can take a ride to cool off. 
• Many shelters for the unhoused will be open during the day as cooling centers, and outreach teams will be working the streets to make sure that unhoused people know where to find those shelters. 

And here are hot weather safety tips: 

• Do not use a fan as your primary source of cooling on extremely hot days. If your home does not have air conditioning, please go to an air-conditioned location during the heat of the day. 
• Check on your neighbors, friends, and relatives at least twice a day (morning and night). If you cannot reach them, you can call police to conduct a welfare check at 234-5111. 
• Never leave children, pets, or others alone in closed vehicles: within minutes, the temperature inside a car can reach over 140 degrees and this can kill within minutes. 
• If you must work outside or in a non-air-conditioned workplace, take frequent breaks, rest in the shade or cooler environment, and drink plenty of water. 
• Avoid too much sunshine and postpone outdoor activities and games. 

For more tips and hot weather information, visit KCMO.gov/heat. To sign up for extreme weather alerts via text or email, visit KCMO.gov.alertkc.