Take Precautions Against Heat Related Illness During Extreme Heat Expected Today, October 1, Cooling Centers Available

Take Precautions Against Heat Related Illness During Extreme Heat Expected Today, October 1, 2020 in Santa Clara County
Cooling Centers Available

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. – The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Heat Advisory for Santa Clara County today, Thursday, October 1 and Friday, October 2. Afternoon temperatures are expected to reach the mid-90s up to the 100s in Santa Clara County with overnight temperatures in the low 60s leading to poor heat relief. Cooling centers will open in Santa Clara County in the cities of Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Milpitas, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, and Saratoga.

The National Weather Service predicts moderate to potentially high heat risk for vulnerable populations across the interior valleys of the Bay Area and Monterey Bay regions. Potential impacts include heat related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. People most vulnerable include those who are spending lots of time outdoors, those without air conditioning, young children, the elderly, and those with chronic ailments.

Cooling centers will open to provide residents who are vulnerable to heat impacts an air-conditioned space. This list will continue to update as more cooling centers open. For up-to-date listings, please visit http://bit.ly/SCC-CoolingCenter.

City of Campbell
Thursday, Oct. 1 – Friday, Oct. 2, from 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Campbell Community Center
Roosevelt Redwood Room
1 W. Campbell Ave., Campbell, CA 95008

City of Cupertino
Tuesday, Sept. 29 – Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, from 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Cupertino Senior Center
21251 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino, CA 95014

City of Gilroy
Tuesday, Sept. 29 – Thursday, Oct. 1, from 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Gilroy Library
350 W. 6th St., Gilroy, CA 95020

City of Milpitas
Wednesday, Sept. 30 – Friday, Oct. 2, from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Barbara Lee Senior Center
40 N. Milpitas Blvd., Milpitas, CA 95035

City of Palo Alto
Sunday, Sept. 27 – Friday, Oct. 2, from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Mitchell Park Community Center (El Palo Alto Room)
3700 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303

City of San Jose
Thursday, Oct. 1, from 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Camden Community Center
3369 Union Ave., San Jose, CA 95124

Thursday, Oct. 1, from 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Vietnamese American Community Center
2072 Lucretia Ave., San Jose, CA 95122

Thursday, Oct. 1, from 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Joyce Ellington Branch Library
Community Room, 491 E. Empire St., San Jose, CA 95112

City of Santa Clara
Thursday, October 1, from 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Santa Clara Senior Center
1303 Fremont St.
Santa Clara, CA  95050

City of Saratoga – No Library Service Provided
Sunday, Sept. 27 – Thursday, Oct. 1, from 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Saratoga Library
13650 Saratoga Ave., Saratoga, CA 95070

Santa Clara County residents are encouraged to check in frequently with older adults and those with chronic conditions who are especially vulnerable to the heat, including family, friends and neighbors– using the phone, Facetime or Zoom for social distancing, i.e. protection against spread of COVID-19. If you see someone on the street who may be having a reaction to the heat, please call 911. All residents are encouraged to take heat safety measures including the following:

1. Drink plenty of water and beverages containing electrolytes even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, or lots of sugar because they will speed up fluid loss.
2. Limit physical activity: Avoid physical activity during the hottest time of the day—10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
3. Never leave people or pets in a closed, parked car.
4. Wear cool clothing: Lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing can help you keep cool. Cotton clothes are good because they let sweat evaporate.
5. Do not bundle babies: Babies do not handle heat well because their sweat glands are not fully developed. Do not put them in blankets or heavy clothing.
6. Cover your head: Wear a wide-brimmed, vented hat or use an umbrella when outdoors because your head absorbs heat easily.
7. Wear sunglasses and sunscreen: Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher when outdoors.
8. Rest often in shady areas: Find shady places to cool down when outdoors.
9. Check on family, friends, or neighbors often, using phone calls, Facetime or Zoom for social distancing.
10. People taking medications should take extra precautions to stay out of the heat as certain drugs such as stimulants can increase body core temperature, and with expected hot weather this week, may predispose individuals to hyperthermia.

For additional information (in English, Spanish and Vietnamese), please visit https://bit.ly/heatsafetytipsSCC.

The County of Santa Clara Office of Supportive Housing staff are working with service providers and outreach workers to make extra visits to encampments to distribute water and provide information for other services.