As a heat wave blasts its oven at Minnesota, here is a guide to information related to the heat

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (KMSP) - Excessive heat warning in effect until 7 p.m. Friday, here's some resources of where to stay cool

Paramedics expect increase in calls

Paramedics in Hennepin County expect a ten-to-fifteen percent increase in calls this week due to the weather, and events like Aquatennial.

“The elderly and young are more prone to be affected by the heat, we do see it higher in the elderly. But it goes across the spectrum,” Doug Gesme, EMS Chief of Operations in Hennepin County, said. “It all depends on what the person is doing. If they’re outside and not paying attention, it can sneak up on you pretty fast.” 

Gesme said each day of high temperatures increases the risk of heat issues for people living without air conditioners; he suggested checking on neighbors.

Cooling centers for homeless

To help those living on the streets, the Salvation Army is opening the doors for all of its cooling centers during the hottest hours of the day this week.

“The expectation is the next few days we’ll probably be seeing more people here,” Dominick Bouza, operations director at the Harbor Light Center,” told Fox 9. “If they do come in here during the day, we’ll provide a meal for them, a lunch, certainly water is available.”

Other cooling locations

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is reminding the public of 100 locations where people can cool — from pools to lakes to air-conditioned recreation centers. For a list of locations, some with extended hours, visit: https://www.minneapolisparks.org/news/2016/07/20/2170/stay_cool_and_have_fun_in_minneapolis_parks_and_recreation_centers

The Ramsey County Library is open with extended hours as a cooling location. 

Extreme heat preparedness

Minneapolis has a website with information and resources related to the heat: http://www.minneapolismn.gov/health/preparedness/extremeheat