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Denver opening cooling centers during weekend heat wave

Denver will offer cooling centers at rec centers this weekend to help residents escape the high temperatures forecast from Friday through Sunday.

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory that is in effect from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, noting that most of the state will see high temperatures between 99 and 104 degrees.

The city will open cooling centers in all currently operating rec centers during their business hours over the weekend. The cooling centers will offer water, restrooms and places to sit down. To find a recreation center and its operating hours, visit tinyurl.com/42v693js.

The city also will open its property at 2601 W. 7th Ave. in Sun Valley from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday as a cooling center.

Residents also can visit public libraries for a break from the heat. Visit denverlibrary.org/locations to find branch locations and operating hours.

Residents who do not have air conditioning in their homes should visit a cooling center or another air-conditioned place to avoid heat-related illnesses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Residents should also drink lots of water or other nonalcoholic and decaffeinated beverages, wear loose-fitting clothing and take cool baths or showers to cool off.

Street outreach teams are contacting unsheltered people to warn them of the dangers associated with the heat wave and to direct them to the city’s cooling centers and other resources.

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