Excessive Heat Warning; Cool Off At These Ocean County Sites

TOMS RIVER, NJ — With excessive heat warnings in effect Tuesday until the evening, people will be looking for ways to cool off.

Here are some places you can go if you need to cool off that are free.

John C. Bartlett Jr. County Park at Berkeley Island, an Ocean County park, has a spray pad. The park is at the end of Brennan Concourse in Berkeley Township and is free. There also is access to wade in Barnegat Bay for those who want to go in the water but don't want ocean waves.

The Ocean County Mall on Hooper Avenue in Toms River has space to walk around and a children's play area to help the littles burn off energy (just bring lots of hand wipes and sanitizer). The mall is open until 9 p.m.

The branches of the Ocean County Library are open Tuesday, with several open until 9 p.m. You can check out books, movies, use the computers or just sit and read. Many of the branches have various children's activities. Information on activities is available on the library's website.

Here are the branches, their addresses and their hours:

• Main Branch, 101 Washington St., Toms River: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
• Barnegat, 112 Burr St.: Monday, Friday, Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Bay Head, 136 Meadow Ave.: Monday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Beachwood, 126 Beachwood Blvd.: Monday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Berkeley, 30 Station Road: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Brick, 301 Chambers Bridge Road: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Island Heights, 121 Central Ave.: Monday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Jackson, 2 Jackson Drive: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Lacey, 10 East Lacey Road: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Lakewood, 301 Lexington Ave.: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
• Little Egg Harbor, 290 Mathistown Road: Monday, Friday, Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Long Beach Island, 217 S. Central Ave., Surf City: Monday, Thursday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Wednesday 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Manchester, 21 Colonial Drive: Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Point Pleasant, 834 Beaver Dam Road: Monday, Friday, Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Plumsted, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt: Monday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Point Pleasant Beach, 710 McClean Ave.: Monday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Stafford, 129 N. Main St., Manahawkin: Monday, Friday, Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
• Tuckerton, 380 Bay Ave.: Monday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Lavallette, 112 Jersey City Ave. (Upper Shores branch): Monday, Thursday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Wednesday 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Waretown, 112 Main St.: Monday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Whiting Reading Center, Whiting Commons Shopping Center, 400 Lacey Road: Monday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning that is in effect until 8 p.m. Tuesday, the Ocean County Sheriff's Office said in an alert. The heat index is expect to reach 105 degrees or more.

Extreme heat and humidity significantly increases the risk of heat-related illnesses, especially for those working or participating in outdoor activities. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening.

Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible.

To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.

Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 911.