Bay Area folks, it’s going to be hot this week.
The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for the Bay Area that started Monday. In response, the Santa Clara County Office of Emergency Management is calling on residents to take critical precautions as the region braces for an intense heat wave.
The anticipated extreme heat significantly raises the likelihood of heat-related illnesses, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Children, older adults and people with underlying health conditions are at a greater risk.
“It’s essential for everyone to stay aware and take action to protect their own health and the well-being of their families,” said Dana Reed, Director of Emergency Management for Santa Clara County. “Simple steps like staying hydrated, avoiding outdoor activities during peak heat, and checking in on others can prevent heat-related illnesses and death.”
It is important that you are vigilant and take proactive measures to protect your and your family’s health.
Hot Weather Safety Tips
- Drink plenty of water: Drink water even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, or lots of sugar because they will speed up fluid loss.
- Limit physical activity: Avoid physical activity during the hottest time of the day—10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Check on frail or elderly family, friends, or neighbors often.
- Never leave people or pets in a closed, parked car.
- Stay in air-conditioned areas, whenever possible.
- Cool off by taking a bath or shower: Cool, plain water baths or moist towels work best. Do not cool children in alcohol baths.
- Wear cool clothing: Lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing can help you keep cool. Cotton clothes are good because they let sweat evaporate.
- 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.
- Cover your head: Wear a wide-brimmed, vented hat or use an umbrella when outdoors because your head absorbs heat easily.
- Wear sunglasses and sunscreen: Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher when outdoors.
- Rest often in shaded areas: Find shady places to cool down when outdoors.
County libraries are operating as Cooling Centers to provide a safe, air-conditioned space for community members seeking relief from the heat.
Cupertino Library
10800 Torre Ave., Cupertino, CA 95014
Hours of Operation:
Monday, September 30, from 10am – 9pm
Tuesday, October 1, from 10am – 9pm
Wednesday, October 2, from 10am – 9pm
Thursday, October 3, from 10am – 9pm
Friday, October 4, from 10am – 9pm
Saturday, October 5, from 10am – 6:30pm
Sunday, October 6, from 10am – 6:30pm
Gilroy Library
350 W. 6th St., Gilroy, CA 95020
Hours of Operation:
Monday, September 30, from 1pm – 9pm
Tuesday, October 1, from 1pm – 9pm
Wednesday, October 2, from 1pm – 9pm
Thursday, October 3, from 10am – 6pm
Friday, October 4, from 10am – 6pm
Saturday, October 5, from 10am – 6pm
Sunday, October 6, from 1pm – 5pm
Los Altos Library
13 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos, CA 94022
Hours of Operation:
Monday, September 30, from 10am – 9pm
Tuesday, October 1, from 10am – 9pm
Wednesday, October 2, from 10am – 9pm
Thursday, October 3, from 10am – 9pm
Friday, October 4, from 10am – 7pm
Saturday, October 5, from 10am – 7pm
Sunday, October 6, from 10am – 7pm
Milpitas Library
160 N. Main St., Milpitas, CA 95035
Hours of Operation:
Monday, September 30, from 10am – 9pm
Tuesday, October 1, from 10am – 9pm
Wednesday, October 2, from 10am – 9pm
Thursday, October 3, from 10am – 9pm
Friday, October 4, from 10am – 7pm
Saturday, October 5, from 10am – 7pm
Sunday, October 6, from 10am– 7pm
Milpitas Senior Center
40 N. Milpitas Blvd., Milpitas, CA 95035
Hours of Operation:
Monday, September 30, from 8:30am – 4:30pm
Tuesday, October 1, from 8:30am – 4:30pm
Wednesday, October 2, from 8:30am – 4:30pm
Thursday, October 3, from 8:30am – 4:30pm
Friday, October 4, from 8:30am – 4:30pm
Saturday, October 5, from 9am – 1pm
Milpitas Community Center
457 E. Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas, CA 95035
Hours of Operation:
Monday, September 30, from 8am – 6pm
Tuesday, October 1, from 8am – 6pm
Wednesday, October 2, from 8am – 6pm
Thursday, October 3, from 8am – 6pm
Friday, October 4, from 9am – 2pm
Milpitas Sport Center
1325 E. Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas, CA 95035
Hours of Operation:
Monday, September 30, from 6am – 9pm
Tuesday, October 1, from 7am – 9pm
Wednesday, October 2, from 6am – 9pm
Thursday, October 3, from 7am – 9pm
Friday, October 4, from 6am – 2pm
Saturday, October 5, from 8am – 1pm
Morgan Hill Library
660 W. Main Ave., Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Hours of Operation:
Monday, September 30, from 12pm – 9pm
Tuesday, October 1, from 12pm – 9pm
Wednesday, October 2, from 12pm – 9pm
Thursday, October 3, from 10am – 6pm
Friday, October 4, from 10am – 6pm
Saturday, October 5, from 10am – 6pm
Sunday, October 6, from 1pm – 5pm
Saratoga Library
13650 Saratoga Ave., Saratoga, CA 95070
Hours of Operation:
Monday, September 30, from 10am – 9pm
Tuesday, October 1, from 10am – 9pm
Wednesday, October 2, from 10am – 6pm
Thursday, October 3, from 10am – 6pm
Friday, October 4, from 10am – 6pm
Saturday, October 5, from 10am – 6pm
Sunday, October 6, from 10am – 6pm
Woodland Library
1975 Grant Road, Los Altos, CA 94024
Hours of Operation:
Monday, September 30, from 11am – 8pm
Tuesday, October 1, from 11am – 8pm
Wednesday, October 2, from 11am – 8pm
Thursday, October 3, from 11am – 5pm
Friday, October 4, from 11am – 5pm
Saturday, October 5, from 11am – 5pm
Sunday, October 6, from 1pm – 5pm
Sunnyvale Library
665 W. Olive Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Hours of Operation:
Monday, September 30 from 10am – 9pm
Tuesday, October 1, from 10am – 9pm
Wednesday, October 2, from 10am – 9pm
Thursday, October 3, from 10am – 9pm
City of Santa Clara Senior Center
1303 Fremont St., Santa Clara, CA 95050
Hours of Operation:
Monday, September 30, from 7am – 7pm
Tuesday, October 1, from 7am – 3pm
Wednesday, October 2, from 7am – 7pm
Thursday, October 3, from 7am – 3pm
City of Santa Clara Community Recreation Center
69 Kiely Blvd., Santa Clara, CA 95051
Hours of Operation:
Monday, September 30, from 8:30am – 8pm
Tuesday, October 1, from 8:30am – 8pm
Wednesday, October 2, from 8:30am – 8pm
Thursday, October 3, from 8:30am – 8pm
City of Santa Clara Central Park Library
2635 Homestead Road, Santa Clara, CA 95051
Hours of Operation:
Monday, September 30, from 10am – 6pm
Tuesday, October 1, from 10am – 7pm
Wednesday, October 2, from 10am – 7pm
Thursday, October 3, from 10am – 7pm
City of Santa Clara Mission Branch Library
1098 Lexington St., Santa Clara, CA 95050
Hours of Operation:
Monday, September 30, from 9am – 5pm
Tuesday, October 1, from 11am – 7pm
Wednesday, October 2, from 9am – 5pm
Thursday, October 3, from 9am – 5pm
City of Santa Clara Northside Library
695 Moreland Way, Santa Clara, CA 95054
Hours of Operation:
Monday, September 30, from 10am – 6pm
Tuesday, October 1, from 10am – 7pm
Wednesday, October 2, from 10am – 6pm
Thursday, October 3, from 10am – 7pm
Los Gatos Library
100 Villa Ave., Los Gatos, CA 95030
Hours of Operation:
7-days a week: 10 am – 6pm
City of Mountain View Police Services Fire Administration Building Lobby
1000 Villa St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Hours of Operation:
Monday, September 30, from 8am – 5pm
Tuesday, October 1, from 8am – 5pm
Wednesday, October 2, from 8am – 5pm
Thursday, October 3, from 8am – 5pm
Friday, October 4, from 8am – 5pm
City of Mountain View Community Center Lobby
201 S Rengstorff Ave., Mountain View, CA 94040
Hours of Operation:
Monday, September 30, from 8:30am – 8:30pm
Tuesday, October 1, from 8:30am – 8:30pm
Wednesday, October 2, from 8:30am – 9:30pm
Thursday, October 3, from 8:30am – 7:30pm
Friday, October 4, from 8:30am – 8pm
City of Mountain View Library
585 Franklin St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Hours of Operation:
Monday, September 30, from 10am – 9pm
Tuesday, October 1, from 10am – 9pm
Wednesday, October 2, from 10am – 9pm
Thursday, October 3, from 10am – 9pm
Friday, October 4, from 10am – 6pm
Campbell Community Center
1 W. Campbell Ave., C-31, Campbell, CA 95008
Room Q80 – The Roosevelt Redwood Room
Hours of Operation:
Tuesday, October 1 – Wednesday, October 2 from 12pm – 8pm
Thursday, October 3 from 2pm – 8pm
Friday, October 4 – Sunday, October 6 from 1pm – 8pm
For information on the Cooling Centers, please visit www.preparescc.org/HotWeather.
San Jose libraries are also open during regular business hours for community members. Go to www.sjpl.org/locations for a list of libraries.
Additional safety information in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Tagalog, can be found by visiting www.preparescc.org.
Reed also recommended signing up for AlertSCC to receive important emergency updates directly from the County. You can register at www.alertscc.org.