Cooling Stations

There are three main types of heat illness: heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke

Common causes include prolonged exposure to high temperatures, dehydration, and strenuous activity. 

Symptoms include confusion, loss of coordination, seizures, or fainting. It's crucial to see help immediately if these symptoms occur. If untreated, heat stroke can lead to severe consequences or death. Heat-related illnesses occur when the body overheats and struggles to cool down.

Everyone is susceptible to heat-related symptoms, but the elderly, young children, and individuals with chronic health issues are at a greater risk. 

Check in on neighbors, friends, and family members. Consider pet safety during periods of extreme heat.

• Ask a neighbor or friend for a ride. 
• Take the Atomic City Transit Bus on weekdays.
• Call Dial-A-Ride at 661-RIDE (7433) for free Atomic City Transit service in the mornings and evenings. 
• Use Para Transit (pre-authorization needed).
• Senior Center transportation.

Personal Cooling 

• Hydration & Shade: Keep hydrated with cool water and seek shade whenever possible.
• Cooling Accessories: Wet a towel and wrap it around your neck; wear light, loose clothing and a wide-brimmed hat to reflect the sun’s rays. Use sunscreen liberally.
• Take a cool shower or bath.
• Apply ice packs, cool water, or a cooling towel to pulse points (back of neck, wrists, ankles, underarms, etc.).

Evaporative Cooling

• Ice Fan: Place a shallow bowl of ice or frozen water bottles in front of a fan. As the ice melts, the fan circulates cooler, moist air.
• Damp Towel Fan: Hang a damp towel in front of a fan so that the air passing through it cools your space.

Window Treatments

• Reflective Covers: Use inexpensive materials like cardboard, aluminum foil, or reflective insulation to cover windows and reduce heat gain.
• Temporary Curtains: Hang thick, light-colored or reflective blackout curtains during the day to block direct sunlight.

Optimizing Ventilation

• Cross-Ventilation: Open windows on opposite sides of your home to create a natural breeze. Enhance this by positioning a fan to draw in cooler air from one side and push out warm air on the other.
• Nighttime Refresh: Open windows during cooler evening and early morning hours to let in fresh air, then close them during the day to trap the cooler air.
• Set your ceiling fans to rotate counterclockwise in the summer.

 Outdoor Cooling

• Misting System: Use a spray bottle to create a fine mist in outdoor seating areas, cooling the surrounding air as the water evaporates.
• Portable Shade: Create a simple shade structure using lightweight fabric or repurposed bedsheets and a basic frame to reduce direct sun exposure.

Additional Low-Cost Tips

• Minimize Heat Sources: Avoid using ovens, stoves, or incandescent bulbs during peak heat hours; opt for no-cook meals and LED lighting.
• Plan Activities: Schedule outdoor activities for cooler parts of the day, taking regular breaks in shaded or cooler areas.

• Visit the White Rock Splash Pad (free), Walkup Aquatic Center ($3-$4.50), and community pools (memberships).

Preparedness is a community and personal effort. Businesses can become cooling stations, neighbors can share cooling tips, and friends can check in on each other. By planning ahead and spreading awareness, we can all stay safer during extreme heat events. Below are few resources to help community and personal preparedness efforts:

• Being prepared for extreme heat starts with having the right supplies on hand. A well-stocked emergency supply kit ensures you and your family stay safe, hydrated, and cool during heat waves, power outages, or emergencies.
• During extreme heat events, power outages, transportation disruptions, and medical emergencies can happen unexpectedly. Having a Family Communication Plan ensures that everyone knows how to stay connected and safe when the heat is at its worst.
• Teaching children about preparedness helps them stay safe and confident during emergencies. FEMA’s "Prepare with Pedro" is a great resource designed to help kids learn how to prepare for different emergency situations in a fun and engaging way. Check out the "Prepare with Pedro" guide on Extreme Heat.

Extreme heat refers to prolonged periods of unusually, high temperatures  that pose significant risks to human and animal health, infrastructure and the environment. 

Extreme heat is often characterized by:

• Temperatures significantly above normal for a region: For example, the National Weather Service (NWS) defines a heat wave as "a period of abnormally hot weather generally lasting more than two days."
• High heat index (feels-like temperature): This combines air temperature and humidity to reflect the perceived temperature. The NWS notes that excessive heat occurs from a combination of high temperatures and high humidity, which can overwhelm the body's ability to maintain proper internal temperatures.
• Inability for nighttime cooling: When temperatures remain high overnight, the body has less opportunity to recover, making extreme heat more dangerous. The NWS indicates that an Excessive Heat Warning is issued when "maximum heat index temperature is expected to be 105°F or higher for at least 2 days and nighttime air temperatures will not drop below 75°F."

Warnings versus Watches: 

• Extreme Heat Warning—Take Action! An Extreme Heat Warning is issued when extremely dangerous heat conditions are expected or occurring, typically within 12 hours of onset.  Avoid outdoor activities, especially during the heat of the day. If you must be outside, be sure to drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks in the shade. Stay indoors in an air-conditioned space as much as possible, including overnight. Check on family and neighbors. 
• Extreme Heat Watch—Be Prepared! An Extreme Heat Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for an extreme heat event but its occurrence and timing is still uncertain. Plan to suspend all major outdoor activities if a warning is issued. If you do not have air conditioning, locate the nearest cooling shelter or discuss staying with nearby family or friends who have air conditioning.
• Heat Advisory—Take Action! A Heat Advisory is issued for dangerous heat conditions that are not expected to reach warning criteria. Consider postponing or rescheduling outdoor activities, especially during the heat of the day. If you must be outside, be sure to drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks in the shade. Stay in a cool place, especially during the heat of the day and evening.

A cooling station is an air-conditioned space that provides relief during extreme heat events. The simplest station allows individuals a place to sit in the conditioned space with a glass of water without the expectation or pressure to purchase a good or service. Your business will receive a small door decal indicating your space is a cooling station. When a heat advisory is issued, Cooling Station locations will be publicized along with overheating safety information and tips to make personal spaces cooler. To sign up or inquire more, fill out this form.