Bergen County Opens Cooling Centers Amid NJ Heat Wave: Pets Allowed, Rides Offered

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — With the heat expected to soar above 90 degrees this week, the county said it would open five cooling centers from Tuesday through Friday, and individual towns are also opening local centers.

Pets are allowed on a leash or in a crate, and rides to the centers are offered for those who need them. (See additional details and the phone number toward the end of the article.)

Don't Let Kids Into Parked Cars

The county noted, "It is never okay to leave a child or pet in a vehicle, even for a smoment, as temperatures can rise quickly. It is also imperative to lock all parked vehicles so children cannot accidentally lock themselves inside while playing games like hide and seek." (All of these situations have proven fatal for children in past summers.)

The details for each center are below, but if you have a need beyond the hours, there is a number to call for each one. The number to call for a ride is also listed below.

Available Centers

For now, the county-run centers are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day to help residents who need a place to cool off.

The county noted, "In addition, several municipalities are designating public spaces such as libraries, shopping centers, and recreation and senior centers as cooling centers. Residents should consider visiting municipal cooling centers before traveling to the county facility to help avoid heat exhaustion or heat stroke." Call your local town hall for more information.

Here are the county-run centers:

County Administration Building

(201) 336-7300

1st Floor, One Bergen County Plaza, Hackensack, NJ, 07601

Bergenfield Senior Activity Center

(201) 387-7212

293 Murray Hill Terrace, Bergenfield, NJ, 07621

Garfield Senior Activity Center

(973) 478-0502

480 Midland Avenue, Garfield, NJ, 07026

Northwest Bergen Senior Activity Center

(201) 445-5690

46-50 Center Street, Midland Park, NJ, 07432

Southwest Bergen Senior Activity Center

(201) 935-8920

147 Hackensack Street, East Rutherford, NJ, 07073

Need A Ride?

Residents requiring a ride to a county emergency cooling center may call (201) 394-2882 or (201) 404-2535. Pets are permitted in county cooling centers, as long as they remain on a leash and/or can be crated.

Recommendations And Forecast

The county said, "It is recommended that residents stay indoors, if possible, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., when the sun is at its strongest and burns and heat strokes are more likely to occur. All age groups are at risk for heat stroke, so please take necessary precautions if you must be outdoors, including wearing sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and staying properly hydrated."

The high temperatures are expected to be 89, 91, and 92. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday in Bergen County, says the National Weather Service. See links to the forecast here.