I’ve always thought it’s silly that summer doesn’t officially start until June 21. Every Midwesterner knows that we can experience a chill in the air from summer storms or temperatures that feel hotter than the surface of the sun — no matter what date the calendar says.
For when it gets super hot this summer, we’ve gathered a guide to how to cool off, afford your air conditioning bills and find a spot to take a swim.
Where to cool off or go for a swim
During the day, you can find relief from the heat and some sweet AC at the 25 branches of the Indianapolis Public Library. Use their map to find the closest location to you.
Family centers at Indy Parks locations also function as cooling centers during the summer. Or, you can call 211 to find a cooling center near you. If you need to get somewhere, all IndyGo buses have air conditioning.
You can cool off at Indy Parks’ public pools and splash pads. They update the hours for each location online.
Know the signs of heat-related sickness
Extreme heat can cause cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. The National Weather Service shares recommendations for how to notice the signs of these symptoms and how to respond.
- Cramps are the first reaction your body may have to hot weather, and you can deal with them by massaging the area that’s cramping and drinking water. If you’re experiencing cramps and lots of sweating for more than an hour, get medical attention.
- Heat exhaustion is what can happen next. It looks like heavy sweating, clammy skin, nausea, headache and a fast, weak pulse. Go to an air-conditioned room, take sips of water and wet some rags with cold water and put them on your skin. If you vomit or have symptoms for more than an hour, get medical attention.
- The most serious heat-related condition is heatstroke. The symptoms are pretty similar to heat exhaustion — just worse. You may have heat stroke if your body temperature is above 103 degrees, you’re experiencing confusion or slurred speech, you have a throbbing headache and may be fading in and out of consciousness. Call 911 or go to the hospital.
How to get help with your energy bills
In April, Gov. Mike Braun signed a law meant to keep utility bills more affordable. Starting July 1, it requires providers to have payment assistance programs and bans utility shutoffs for low-income customers during the hottest days of summer.
The federal Energy Assistance Program is closed until the fall, but utility companies offer payment plans and United Way is taking applications until May 31 for its assistance program.
AES Indiana offers payment extensions and budget billing. To enroll over the phone, call 888-261-8222 and select “billing and payments.” Customers with smart thermostats can enroll in a program called CoolCents, which gives you a $5 credit on bills from June to September.
Citizens Energy offers payment plans and a budget billing program that balances out your payments across the year, so you aren’t paying based on each month’s usage. Citizens also has the Warm Hearts Warm Home foundation, which is their nonprofit that provides assistance when you’re struggling to pay your bills. Apply by calling Citizens at 317-924-3311.
You may also be able to get help from Marion County’s nine townships. They don’t cover missed payments, but they can offer vouchers to help pay for your current month’s bill. Check with your township to figure out how much assistance you can get and whether you qualify:
- Center Township
- Decatur Township
- Franklin Township
- Lawrence Township
- Perry Township
- Pike Township
- Warren Township
- Washington Township
- Wayne Township
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Mirror Indy reporter Sophie Young covers services and resources. Contact her at sophie.young@mirrorindy.org.
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