June 9, 2022

Cooling centers available over the weekend at certain libraries, community centers, multi-service center

HOUSTON - The City of Houston is activating its Public Health Heat Emergency Plan, providing resources for people needing to take refuge from extreme heat over the weekend.

The National Weather Service is predicting heat index values will surpass 105 through the duration of the weekend.

Anyone without air-conditioning can seek shelter at any of the following city buildings designated as cooling centers:

Saturday (6/11/22)

Houston Public Libraries (All locations with the exception of McGovern-Stella Link Neighborhood located at 7405 Stella Link Road, and Young Neighborhood Library, located at 5107 Griggs Road):
Normal operating hours
 
Houston Parks & Recreation Department- Community Centers
Normal operating hours
 
Tidwell Community Center (with extended hours)
9720 Spaulding St., Houston, TX 77016
Hours: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
 
Hartman Community Center (with extended hours)
9311 E Avenue P, Houston, TX 77012
Hours: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
 
Sunday (6/12/22)

Houston Public Library- Downtown
500 McKinney St., Houston, TX 77002
Hours: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
 
Tidwell Community Center
9720 Spaulding St., Houston, TX 77016
Hours: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
 
Hartman Community Center
9311 E Avenue P, Houston, TX 77012
Hours: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
 
Acres Home Multi Service Center
6719 W Montgomery Rd., Houston, TX 77091
Hours: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
 
Southwest Multi Service Center
6400 High Star Dr., Houston, TX 77074
Hours: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
 
People without adequate transportation to a designated cooling center can call 3-1-1 to request a free ride from METRO. Transportation is only to and from the cooling centers; transportation to other locations is unavailable.

The Houston Health Department encourages people to take extra precautions to protect themselves from heat-related illness and death. High-risk groups such as adults age 55 and older, children under the age of 4, and people with chronic illness or who are either overweight or on certain medications should stay inside air-conditioned buildings between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., the hottest part of the day.

The department recommends people protect themselves and their families from potentially deadly heat-related illness.  It recommends people:

• Increase water consumption. Drink lots of liquids even before getting thirsty, but avoid beverages with caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar because these can result in the loss of body fluid.
• Conduct outdoor work or exercise in the early morning or evening when temperatures are not as high. Outdoor workers should drink plenty of water or electrolyte replacement beverages and take frequent breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned facility. People unaccustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment need to start slowly and gradually increase heat exposure over several weeks.
• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing that permits the evaporation of perspiration.
• Do not leave infants, children, senior citizens, or pets unattended in a parked vehicle, even if the windows are cracked open. Check to make sure everyone is out of the car and don’t overlook children who may have fallen asleep.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat to help prevent sunburn as well as heat-related illness. Apply sunscreen, which protects from the sun’s harmful rays and reduces the risk of sunburn.
• Seek accommodations in air-conditioned facilities during the heat of the day if the house is not air-conditioned: a relative’s home, multi-service centers, malls, movie theaters, libraries, etc.
• Take frequent cool baths or showers if your home is not air-conditioned.
• Symptoms of heat exhaustion include weakness, dizziness, excessive sweating, cool or moist skin, nausea or vomiting, muscle cramps, and a fast and weak pulse. People experiencing these symptoms should lower their body temperature by getting to a cooler place, drinking water, taking a cool shower or bath, and resting.

A throbbing headache, red, hot, and dry skin (no longer sweating), extremely high body temperature (above 103°), nausea or vomiting, confusion, loss of consciousness, and a rapid, strong pulse are signs of heat stroke. If these symptoms occur, call 9-1-1 immediately and try to lower the person’s body temperature until help arrives.

People may seek air-conditioning in city multi-service centers, libraries, and recreation centers during normal business hours, even when the Public Health Heat Emergency Plan is not activated.

To find the nearest cooling center location or an air-conditioned city facility, people can call 3-1-1 for more information.