Officials say Kane County residents are beating the heat
Kane County residents are doing a good job of avoiding heat-related illnesses despite persistent thermometer-busting temperatures this week, officials said Thursday.
The Kane County Public Health Department is tracking the impact of the heat tsunami in the area. No heat-related deaths had occurred through Thursday afternoon. Local hospitals have seen some patients suffering as the result of the 90-plus degree temperatures, but Chris Hoff said emergency rooms have not seen a significant flood of patients.
Hoff, the county’s assistant director for community health resources, said local residents are showing they’ve found ways to beat the heat, including local cooling centers.
“We’ve been in contact with the hospitals all week, and so far it’s been pretty quiet,” Hoff said. “Our heat warnings seem to be working. People are avoiding these high temperatures.”
That doesn’t include people braving the sun to experience this year’s offerings at the Kane County Fair.
Kristen Engel of Hampshire and her 11-year-old son Jake, spent Thursday showing the family’s cattle at the fair. They plan to be at the fair every day.
“It’s very warm out, the warmest fair I have ever been to,” Engel said. “We’re just trying to stay in the shade and keep cool.”
The Kane County Office of Emergency Management has a listing of all local cooling centers at kcoem.org.
Hoff said anyone concerned about loved ones, or themselves, living alone with medical conditions or other special needs that intensify during heat waves can register with the office of emergency management. Those on the registry will receive regular phone calls from a volunteer staff to check on their well-being. The volunteers can trigger a visit to the residence of anyone on the registry from local police or fire officials if any concerns arise. To get on the registry, call (630) 232-5985.
Municipalities are also doing their part to help local workers stay cool. Geneva and Sugar Grove are allowing earlier trash pickup. Sugar Grove will start garbage collection as early as 5 a.m. during the heat wave. Geneva is allowing trash pickup and outdoor construction to start at 6 a.m.
Ÿ Daily Herald staff writers Susan Sarkauskas and Samantha Kiesel contributed to this story.