Newark officials announce that cooling centers are now open fo residents during this week’s heatwave.
According to authorities, due to the latest forecasts, predicting temperatures reaching above 90-degrees this week, seniors and other residents are welcome to visit one of the available cooling centers or public pools during the following times and locations:
**COOLING STATIONS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS**
Bethany Baptist Church Senior Center, 275 West Market Street (entrance: 58 Hartford St.) – M-F, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Kenneth Gibson/Sharpe James Aquatic Recreation Center, 224 Rome Street – M-F, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m./Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Nellie Grier Senior Center, 98-104 Maple Avenue – M-F, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
**COOLING STATIONS FOR ALL RESIDENTS**(Recreational Centers and Public Pools)
John F. Kennedy Aquatic Center, 211 West Kinney Street, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m./Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Residents are reminded that all branches of the Newark Public Library will also serve as cooling stations. Check your local branch for hours of operation at: https://npl.org/about-the-library/hours/.
Members of the homeless community may utilize Newark Pennsylvania Station as a Cooling Center when they are near that location.
The Newark Fire Division will open hydrants when a request is made in person by an adult. Kindly visit your local firehouse to make a formal request.
Additional tips for staying cool include:
Drinking plenty of fluids
Sheltering in place inside an air-conditioned room
Avoiding prolonged periods in the sun
Wearing light-weight, loose fitting clothing
Rescheduling strenuous activities to cooler temperatures or during the morning or evening hours
Seniors and young children are especially susceptible to heat-related illness. Those who care for them are advised to regularly check on them and to bring them to the cooling centers.
Officials say to call 911 if you or someone you know is suffering from heat exhaustion, heat stroke or other heat-related illness.