Many cities in Alabama and across the country are under heat advisories. Dothan is taking steps to make sure everyone stays cool during peak hours.

Dothan leisure services have designated 4 building across Dothan as cooling shelters. These are public buildings but special accommodations are being made to welcome those escaping the heat.

Blistering summer heat is not only extremely uncomfortable, but it can also be deadly which is why the city of Dothan is making an effort to let the public know their buildings are open.

"Well we felt like we wanted to let the general public know that if they needed a place to get out of the heat that we had some of our public facilities available this afternoon and we wanted to make sure they were aware of this," says Larry Patrick Assistant Dir. Dothan Leisure Services.

The Dothan Civic Center, Andrew Bell Center, Walton Recreation Center and Wiregrass Recreation Center were all designated as cooling centers.

"well when it gets to a hundred degrees it dangerous it gets hot it can dehydrate you we had some folks end up in the hospital so we need to be careful and I think it is very important to provide a cooling center," Remarks Mayor Mike Schmitz.

These buildings were only designated cooling centers for Friday, but as the temperature continues to stay high, actions like this will continue to be taken.

"with extreme temperatures like there was possible be today with the heat index and the temperature its very possible we would extend these later in the summer," says Patrick.

Mayor Mike Schmitz says the city is happy to open their doors.

"Oh were glad to we want our citizens to be okay allot of folks may not have air-conditioning there welcome to come down and cool off with us," commented Schmitz.

These cooling centers are only open during normal business hours. And are available for the public to cool off on days when the buildings are not designated as cooling centers.