Summer is here and it is HOT!
Summer is the season for getting outside in nature, going to the beach, having a BBQ, and just hanging out. However, when temperatures reach overwhelming temperatures, the heat can become dangerous.
Did you know heat is the number one weather-related killer in the US? And as carbon pollution continues to deteriorate the Earth’s atmosphere, global temperatures will keep climbing, bringing us hotter summers and more dangerous heat.
The ability to sweat is one of the primary mechanisms your body uses to cools you down. But when humidity levels rise, sweat does not evaporate as efficiently, which keeps your body from releasing heat as fast as it may need, and this leads to overheating. Heat waves can cause heat exhaustion or even heat stroke in severe cases. It can cause the body to become fatigued, dizzy, dehydrated, and over-stressed.
In Nassau and Suffolk County, schools, senior centers, parks, and various complexes serve the community by opening cooling centers on especially hot days. We’ve compiled a list of cooling centers in our communities. Most will be open during heat waves, but please call ahead to double check.
Nassau County
Always call before you go to make sure the cooling centers are open.
- Baldwin Senior Center, 1810 N Grand Ave, Baldwin, 11510, 516-546-7110
- Bellmore Senior Center, 2000 Bellmore Ave, Bellmore, 11710, 516-221-9696
- Bethpage Ice Center, 1001 Stewart Ave, Bethpage, 11714, 516-433-7465
- Cantiague Park, 480 West John St, Hicksville, 11801, 516-571 7058
- Clinton G. Martin Park, 1601 Marcus Ave, New Hyde Park, 11042, 516-869-6311
- Elmont Senior Center, 138 Elmont Rd, Elmont, 11003, 516-354-4777
- Franklin Square Senior Center, 1182 Martha Pl, Franklin Square, 11010, 516-328-3010
- Grant Park, 1625 Broadway, Hewlett, 11557, 516-571-7821
- Green Acres Senior Center, 400 Flower Rd, Valley Stream, 11581, 516-872-8810
- Levittown Senior Center, 555 N Newbridge Rd, Levittown, 11756, 516-433-5454
- Marjorie Post Rink, 451 Unqua Rd, Massapequa, 11758, 516-797-7990
- Merrick Senior Center, 2550 Clubhouse Road, Merrick, 11566, 516-868-4777
- Michael J. Tully Park, 1801 Evergreen Ave, New Hyde Park, 11040, 516-869-6311
- Mitchel Field Complex, 1 Charles Lindbergh Blvd, Uniondale, 11553, 516-572-0400
- Oceanside Senior Center, 2900 Rockaway Ave, Oceanside, 11572, 516-766-8888
- Rosa Parks Senior Center, 2 Babylon Tpke, Roosevelt, 11575, 516-867-1612
- Salisbury Senior Center, 460 Salisbury Park Drive, Westbury, 11590, 516-333-5440
- SYO Woodbury Ice Rink, 7900 Jericho Turnpike, Woodbury, 11797, 516-677-5990
- Uniondale-Hempstead Senior Center, 840 Uniondale Ave, Uniondale, 11553, 516-292-1313
- Uniondale-Merrick Senior Center, 750 Jerusalem Ave, Uniondale, 11553, 516-538-5050
- Wantagh Park Community Center, 1 King Road, Wantagh, 11793, 516-571-7460
- Wantagh Senior Center, 1150 Seamans Neck Rd, Wantagh, 11793, 516-785-8505
- Yes We Can Community Center, 141 Garden St, Westbury, 11590, 516-869-6311
Suffolk County
Always call before you go to make sure the cooling centers are open.
- Brookhaven Gym at SCCC Ammerman, 533 College Rd, Selden, 11784, 631-451-4000
- HSE Center at SCCC Grant Campus, 1001 Crooked Hill Rd, Brentwood, 11717, 631-851-6700
- SCCC Eastern Campus – Peconic Building, 121 Speonk Riverhead Rd, Riverhead, 11901, 631-548-2500
And finally, here are a few heat safety tips courtesy Newsday:
HEAT SAFETY TIPS
Stay in air-conditioned places as much as possible.
Cool down with repeated baths or showers.
Do not leave children or pets in a parked vehicle. Even in cool temperatures, cars can heat up very quickly.
Wear light-colored, loosefitting clothes. Use umbrellas and hats when you are out in the sun.
Avoid falling asleep in a hot room.
Eat light but nutritious food.
Caffeine and alcohol will dehydrate the body. So drink more water, sports drinks and juice — the body needs fluid to keep cool.
Any outdoor activities should be done in the morning or in the evening to avoid overheating.
Check on relatives and friends, especially the elderly.
Stay cool and please SHARE this information with friends and relatives!