Hot Weather Tips & Cooling Centers Open to Support Community Health
Published on August 30, 2022
The National Weather Service is predicting dangerous heat later this week and into next week. Practice hot weather safety with these tips.
Understand the Risk
Hot weather increases the risk of heat-related health complications such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, dehydration, hyperthermia, and heat cramps. Those with limited access to cooling, the homeless, the elderly, and children are all at highest risk. Take extra precautions to ensure the safety of yourself and those around you.
Practice Hot Weather Safety
These hot weather safety tips can help keep you cool and safe.
- Dress in lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors like black that absorb the suns rays.
- Wear a wide-brimmed, vented hat or use an umbrella when outdoors.
- Drink plenty of water or sports drink, even if you don't feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and lots of sugar as they speed up fluid loss.
- Avoid outdoor and strenuous activities between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Use a buddy system when working or exercising in excessive heat. Take frequent breaks if you must work outdoors.
- Use air conditioning and remain in cool places during the day. Find a cooling center if you don't have access to air conditioning at home.
- Never leave people or pets in a closed, parked car.
- Check on your pets frequently and provide them with plenty of water.
- Minimize direct exposure to the sun. Sunburn reduces your body's ability to dissipate heat.
- Keep window coverings closed during the day to block the sun's heat.
- Eat small meals and eat more often. Eat light, cool, easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salads.
- Take a cool bath or shower if you feel yourself overheating. Use moist towels to cool down as needed.
- Check on vulnerable family, friends, and neighbors often.
Know your Local Cooling Centers
Beat the heat by visiting Palo Alto libraries which serve as Cooling Centers during normal business hours on Friday and Saturday and special hours are set for this Sunday at Lucie Stern Community Center and this Monday at Rinconada Library to support community health.
Palo Alto Libraries serve as cooling centers during their normal business hours. Find a full list of Palo Alto libraries below. Learn more here.
College Terrace Library: Located at 2300 Wellesley St. Palo Alto CA 94306. Open Thursday, Friday, & Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Downtown Library: Located at 270 Forest Ave. Palo Alto CA 94301. Open Thursday, Friday, & Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Mitchell Park Library: Located at 3700 Middlefield Rd Palo Alto CA 94303. Open Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday & Saturday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Rinconada Library: Located at 1213 Newell Rd. Palo Alto CA 94303. Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, & Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Lucie Stern Community Center is another great place to cool down during normal business hours. Located at 1305 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94301. Open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Santa Clara County also hosts various cooling centers. Find more information below.
City of Morgan Hill's Centennial Recreation Center: Located at 171 W Edmundson Ave, Morgan Hill, CA 95037. Open Monday, August 29 through Friday, September 2 from 5 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, September 3 through Sunday September 4 from 6:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Santa Clara Senior Center: Located at 1303 Fremont Street Santa Clara, CA 95050. Open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Community Recreation Center: Located at 969 Kiely Blvd. Santa Clara, CA 95051. Open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
Central Park Library: Located at 2635 Homestead Road Santa Clara, CA 9505. Open Monday, Friday, & Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday & Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Northside Branch Library: Located at 695 Moreland Way Santa Clara, CA 95054. Open Tuesday & Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday & Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Mission Branch Library: Located at 1098 Lexington Street Santa Clara, CA 95050. Open Monday & Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Wednesday & Thursday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
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