Hempstead Town Opens Cooling Centers To Help Residents In Heat Wave

With temperatures expected to break 90 degrees this week, Hempstead Town announced Monday that it would be opening cooling centers across the township to help residents who don't have air conditioning to stay cool.

"People who don’t have an air conditioner or a cool place to stay during extremely hot weather can face genuine health risks," said Town Supervisor Anthony Santino. "That’s why Hempstead Town is opening 14 cooling centers and offering tips to 'beat the heat.'"

Cooling centers are open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday and Tuesday. They are located at:

• Baldwin Senior Center, 1810 N. Grand Ave., Baldwin, (516) 546-7110
• Bellmore Senior Center, 2000 Bellmore Ave., Bellmore, (516) 221-9696
• Cedarhurst Senior Center, 200 Cedarhurst Avenue, Cedarhurst, (516) 295-1177 (until 4:30 PM)
• Elmont Senior Center, 138 Elmont Rd., Elmont, (516) 354-4777
• Franklin Square Senior Center, 1182 Martha Pl. Franklin Square, (516) 328-3010
• Green Acres Senior Center, 400 Flower Rd., Valley Stream, (516) 872-8810
• Levittown Senior Center, 555 N. Newbridge Rd., Levittown, (516) 433-5454
• Merrick Senior Center, 2550 Clubhouse Road, Merrick, (516) 868-4777
• Oceanside Senior Center, 2900 Rockaway Ave., Oceanside, (516) 766-8888
• Rosa Parks Senior Center, 2 Babylon Tpke., Roosevelt (516) 867-1612
• Salisbury Senior Center, 460 Salisbury Park Drive, Westbury, (516) 333-5440
• Uniondale-Hempstead Senior Center, 840 Uniondale Ave., Uniondale (516) 292-1313
• Uniondale-Merrick Senior Center, 750 Jerusalem Ave., Uniondale (516) 538-5050
• Wantagh Senior Center, 1150 Seamans Neck Rd., Wantagh (516) 785-8505

In addition to opening the cooling centers, Santino offered tips for residents on how to keep their loved ones and themselves safe in the heat:

• Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun.
• Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day, usually between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Consider performing these tasks in the early morning or evening hours.
• When in the sun, wear sunscreen and a hat to protect your face and head.
• Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty.
• Eat well-balanced, light and regular meals.
• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothes.
• NEVER leave children or pets in closed vehicles.
• Check on elderly family members, friends and neighbors.
• When indoors, use an air conditioner or fans to cool rooms if available.
• Cool down with repeated cool baths or showers.
• Consider going to public pools and air-conditioned stores and malls.
• Seniors and others who may be sensitive to extreme heat should contact friends, neighbors or relatives at least twice a day during a heat wave.

"By taking some important and simple precautions, neighbors can protect themselves from the dangers of extreme heat," Santino said. "Take advantage of our cooling centers and helpful tips to stay cool and comfortable."

Photo: Shutterstock