Cooling centers offered in Southwest Riverside County in extreme heat

Days

Be prepared!

Tony Ault Staff Writer

Last week with record-breaking high-temperatures hitting Southwest Riverside County many sought relief in the nearest cooling center in their city, however others, the elderly and those without sufficient air conditioning suffered with the local hospitals recording many heat related health emergencies due to the weather.

According to the latest longterm weather reports, temperatures will again reach numbers “hazardous to health levels” in the coming months, which can be some of the hottest in the year.

The Community Action Partnership of Riverside County released a list of the available locations with cooling centers for those most affected by the predicted extreme heat. The Valley News has listed those in our circulation area that are, or will be available in those days ahead and their locations.

However, the website HeatReadyCA.com gives residents some good advice on what to do to prevent heat related illnesses. Here is some of the advice suggested by the website.

Families are encouraged to make a plan as with earthquakes, floods or other serious weather events to protect vulnerable family members.

Move to a cooler place like a community center. public library, shopping mall, or another airconditioned building.

Learn the signs of heat illness like heat stroke and heat exhaustion which can include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, feeling weak, headache, nausea or vomiting, tiredness or dizziness.

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and its local partners add to the warnings, “Stay cool. stay hydrated, and look after each other.” To do this they suggest to “avoid being outside in the direct heat for a long time.

“Try to stay in air-conditioned spaces, at home with your A/C set between 75-80 degrees, or at your local library, shopping mall, or community center. If staying home, keep the blinds closed and wear loose, light-colored, lightweight clothing.

“Sip water all day and consider supplementing with sports drinks. Avoid caffeine and alcohol and to check in on friends and family and have them do the same for you.”

Local and state law enforcement agencies are also on the alert and suggest that no one leave their children or pets inside of a locked or unlocked vehicle that within minutes can reach temperatures sometimes above 180 degrees.

People who see a child or pet left alone inside of a vehicle on extremely hot days are urged to call the local law enforcement agency immediately and try to locate the parents or pet owners to warn them of the danger. Also in Riverside County low cost or free transportation to the nearest cooling center is available. Call MetroLink or RTA for more information.

Listed below are many of the local cooling centers available in the region. The hours for the centers are subject to extensions depending on the weather.

Temecula Temecula Community Center, 28816 Pujol St. Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Note: this location is serving as a temporary cool center fo the Mary Phillips Senior Center)

Murrieta

Murrieta Senior Center, (Seniors only) 5 Town Square. MondayFriday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Menifee Kay Ceniceros Senior Center,

29995 Evans Road. MondayFriday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun City Public Library, 26982 Cherry Hills Blvd. Monday-Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. depending on the day

Lake Elsinore Lake Elsinore Senior Center, 420 E. Lakeshore Drive., MondayFriday 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Hemet Salvation Army, 340 S. Palm Ave. Monday, Wednesday, Friday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. San Jacinto Cesar E. Chavez Public Library,

163 E. San Jacinto Ave. MondaySaturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. different days.

Canyon Lake Canyon Lake Library, 31516

Railroad Canyon Road Monday,

Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Nuview Nuview Library, 29990 Lakeview Ave. Tuesday and Wednesday 2-5 p.m. Mead Valley Mead Valley Library, 21580 Oakwood St. Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Idyllwild Idyllwild Library, 54401 Village Center Drive, Monday-Friday 12-5 p.m.

Anza

Anza Valley Community Library, 57430 Mitchell Road Thursday-Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. days can vary

NOTE: Some cities mentioned have their own libraries offering cooling centers as well as some churches and park facilities when they are open during the day. Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com