Cooling Stations Available In Summit During Heat Wave + Safety Tips

SUMMIT, NJ —New Jersey, and the Summit area, are in the middle of a heat wave that is expected to continue through at least Sunday, with highs well into the 90s each day.

There are several locations in Summit that locals can visit this week and weekend to take a break from the heat:

• City Hall, 512 Springfield Avenue: Monday-Thursday 8AM-4:30PM, Friday 8AM-1PM, closed Saturday and Sunday
• Community Center, 100 Morris Avenue: Monday-Thursday 3-9PM, Friday 8AM-1PM, Saturday 7AM-5PM, Sunday 10AM-5PM
• Summit Free Public Library, 75 Maple Street: Monday-Thursday 9AM-9PM, Friday-Saturday 9AM-5PM, closed Sunday

A list of cooling centers in Union County can also be found online at https://www.nj211.org/nj-cooling-centers.

The following are a list of safety tips from the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management and the CDC:

• Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. Wear a hat wide enough to protect your face. To reduce your risk during outdoor work, schedule frequent breaks in a shaded or air-conditioned environment.
• Be mindful when planning outdoor activities. Take frequent breaks and stay hydrated. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to the early morning or the late evening.
• Wear loose, lightweight, and light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors as they absorb the sun’s rays.
• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
• Find places with air conditioning. Libraries, shopping malls, and community centers can provide a cool place to take a break from the heat. Visit https://www.nj211.org/nj-cooling-centers or dial 2-1-1 to find a cooling center near you.
• Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool, shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency; dial 911 immediately.
• Check on family, friends, and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend much of their time alone.
• Pets are vulnerable to the heat too. Check on them frequently and provide them with plenty of fresh water.
• Never leave children or pets alone in hot vehicles for any amount of time. Temperatures inside vehicles can quickly become deadly, rising by more than 20 degrees in just ten minutes.

You can also visit the following websites for more information and safety tips for extreme heat:

https://www.ready.gov/heat

https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat

https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/index.html

Have a news tip? Email remy.samuels@patch.com.