For those affected by the excessive heat expected in our area, the City of Charlottesville will be designating Key Recreation Center, Tonsler Recreation Center and the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library (Central Branch) as cooling centers beginning Monday, June 18 until further notice.
Key Recreation Center is located at 800 E. Market Street. The hours of operation are 5 pm to 9 pm Monday through Friday; 1pm to 6pm Saturday and Sunday.
Tonsler Recreation Center is located at 501 Cherry Avenue. The hours of operation are Noon to 9 pm Monday through Friday; Noon to 6 pm Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Jefferson-Madison Regional Library (Central Branch) is located at 201 E. Market Street. The hours of operation are 9 am to 9 pm Monday through Thursday; 9 am to 5 pm Friday and Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Water is accessible at all locations.
MORE HEAT-RELATED INFORMATION
Heat is the number one weather-related cause of death in the United States every year.
The combination of temperatures in the upper 90s and high humidity will lead to an increased risk of heat-related stress and illness. Most susceptible are the very young, the elderly, those without air conditioning and those participating in strenuous outdoor activities.
- Avoid poorly ventilated areas and prolonged work in the sun.
- Keep plenty of fluids on hand and try to stay inside, or take frequent breaks in an air conditioned environment.
- Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
- Wear light weight, loose fitting clothing.
- Never leave children unattended in a vehicle. Check the backseat before exiting. During extreme heat vehicle temperatures can reach lethal levels in a matter of minutes.
- Routinely check on family members, neighbors, elderly, chronically ill, and friends. If they have air conditioning available encourage them to use it.
- Replace salt and minerals: heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from the body that need to be replaced. A sports drink can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat.
- If you are on a low-salt diet, have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other chronic conditions, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage or taking salt tablets.
If you feel you are experiencing heat-related symptoms, call 911.
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