Cooling Centers Open In SCC Amid Bay Area Heat Advisory

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — Local leaders are tapping several library branches and community centers to serve as cooling centers as the Bay Area navigates an October heat wave. Most of the region will be under a heat advisory until 11 p.m. Friday. Afternoon highs in San Jose were forecast to hit 96 degrees Thursday and Friday and 93 degrees Saturday.

"The NWS is forecasting temperatures higher than normal, coupled with limited cooling at night," the county wrote Thursday. This raises concern for an elevated risk of heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Community members most vulnerable to heat impacts include outdoor laborers, those without access to air conditioning, young children, older adults, and individuals with chronic medical conditions."

On Thursday morning, Santa Clara Released a list of places with air conditioning where community members can cool off during the hottest hours on Thursday and Friday:

Central Park Library
2635 Homestead Rd.
Santa Clara, CA 95051
Thursday, Oct. 5 from noon – 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Community Recreation Center
969 Kiely Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95051
Thursday, Oct. 5 from 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 6 from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Cupertino Library
10800 Torre Ave.
Cupertino, CA 95014
Thursday, Oct. 5 – Friday, Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Gilroy Library
350 W. 6th St.
Gilroy, CA 95020
Thursday, Oct. 5 – Saturday, Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Los Altos Library
13 S. San Antonio Rd.
Los Altos, CA 94022
Thursday, Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 6 – Saturday, Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Los Gatos Library
100 Villa Ave.
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Thursday, Oct. 5 – Saturday, Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Milpitas Library
160 N. Main St.
Milpitas, CA 95035
Thursday, Oct. 5 – Saturday, Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Mission Branch Library
1098 Lexington St.
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Thursday, Oct. 5 from noon – 5 p.m.

Morgan Hill Library
660 W. Main Ave.
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Thursday, Oct. 5 – Saturday, Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Mountain View Community Center Lobby
201 S. Rengstorff Ave.
Mountain View, CA 94040
Thursday Oct. 5 – Friday, Oct. 6 from 8:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Mountain View Police Services Fire Administration Building Lobby
1000 Villa St.
Mountain View, CA 94041
Thursday, Oct. 5 – Friday, Oct. 6 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Mountain View Public Library
585 Franklin St.
Mountain View, CA 94041
Thursday, Oct. 5, from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Northside Library
695 Moreland Way
Santa Clara, CA 95054
Thursday, Oct. 5 from noon – 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Saratoga Library
13650 Saratoga Ave.
Saratoga, CA 95070
Thursday, Oct. 5 – Saturday, Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Senior Center
1303 Fremont St.
Santa Clara, CA 95050
Thursday, Oct. 5 – Friday, Oct. 6 from 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Woodland Library
1975 Grant Rd.
Los Altos, CA 94024
Thursday, Oct. 5 – Saturday, Oct. 7 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m

"Prioritize your safety during the Heat Advisory these next few days," said Kathryn Kaminski, deputy director of the Office of Supportive Housing. "County libraries continue to dedicate their facilities as cooling centers, offering a sanctuary to anyone seeking refuge from the heat. Outreach teams and community volunteers are in the field working diligently with community service providers, visiting encampments to distribute water and raising awareness about the availability of cooling centers and essential resources."

Community centers and libraries in the city of San Jose will also be open during regular hours for visitors to cool off.

Here are a few tips from the county on how to avoid heat-related illnesses:

• Drink plenty of water and beverages containing electrolytes even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, or lots of sugar because they can speed up fluid loss.
• Limit physical activity during peak heat hours.
• Never leave people or pets in a closed, parked car.
• Cool off by taking a bath or shower.
• Wear light weight, light colored, and loose-fitting clothing to help you keep cool.
• Do not bundle babies or put them in heavy clothing.
• Wear a wide-brimmed, vented hat or use an umbrella when outdoors.
• Wear sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Rest often and find shady places to cool down when outdoors.
• Check on family, friends, and neighbors.
• People taking medications should take extra precautions to stay out of the heat.
• Drugs such as stimulants can increase body core temperature and may predispose individuals to hyperthermia.