Hot Weather Safety
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Extremely hot weather can result in heatstroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, sunburn, heat rash, and in some instances death. Please take safety measures to stay safe and lend a helping hand to family, friends, and neighbors. If you know of a vulnerable person without air conditioning, such as an elderly or infirm neighbor or someone with a drug or alcohol disorder or severe mental illness, please help them get to an air-conditioned space between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. If you see someone on the street who may be having a life-threatening reaction to the heat, please call 911. Thank you for doing your part to keep people safe during a heat crisis.
Register for emergency or disaster alerts
Notes on Cooling Centers
- For special accommodations such as pets and provided resources including water, food, and refreshments, please contact the Cooling Center of interest.
- Cooling Centers are compliant with ADA regulations. Service animals are allowed to accompany community members with access and functional needs.
- Dogs must be leashed at all times. Cats must be brought in crates or in a harness if they are harness-trained. Unrestrained pets are not allowed. Any pets that display aggression or disruptive behavior towards any other pet or attendee will be required to leave the center.
- Owners are fully responsible for their pets and must bring their own food, water, and supplies to care for their pets.
- There will be designated pet relief areas. All pet owners are responsible for assisting their pet with clean-up should any accidents occur.
Find a Cooling Center
Cooling Centers will be listed here when there is an emergency heat event as information from community partners is received.
Santa Clara County Cooling Centers
In need of a Cooling Center in Santa Clara County?
Statewide Cooling Centers
Looking for a Cooling Center for a loved one or family member outside of Santa Clara County? The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) has compiled a list of Cooling Centers across the State.
County libraries are open as Cooling & Warming Centers during regular business hours.
San José community centers and libraries are open during regular business hours for residents to stay cool. Visit bit.ly/sjcommunitycenters for a list of community centers and hours they are open, and www.sjpl.org/locations for a list of libraries and hours they are open.
Additional Cooling Center Locations:
City of Cupertino:
Cupertino Library
10800 Torre Ave., Cupertino, CA 95014
Hours of Operation:
Friday, May 30, from 10am - 9pm
City of Campbell:
Campbell Community Center
1 W. Campbell Ave. C-31, Campbell, CA 95008
Room Q84 (Mary Campbell Room)
Hours of Operation:
Friday, May 30, from 2:30pm – 8pm
Saturday, May 31, from 12pm – 8pm
San Martin:
Santa Clara County Animal Shelter
12425 Monterey Rd., San Martin, CA 95046
**Pets Allowed**
Hours of Operation:
Friday, May 30, from 8am – 6pm
City of Gilroy:
Gilroy Library
350 W. 6th St., Gilroy, CA 95020
Hours of Operation:
Friday, May 30, from 10am – 6pm
City of Milpitas:
Milpitas Library
160 N. Main St., Milpitas, CA 95035
Hours of Operation:
Friday, May 30, from 10am - 7pm
City of Los Altos:
Woodland Library
1975 Grant Rd., Los Altos, CA 94024
Hours of Operation:
Friday, May 30, from 11am - 5pm
Los Altos Library
13 S. San Antonio Rd, Los Altos, CA 94022
Hours of Operation:
Friday, May 30, from 10am - 7pm
Town of Los Altos Hills:
Los Altos Hills Town Hall Lobby
26379 Fremont Rd, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
Hours of Operation:
Friday, May 30, from 8am - 5pm
City of Morgan Hill:
Morgan Hill Library
660 W. Main Ave., Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Hours of Operation:
Friday, May 30, from 10am - 6pm
City of Mountain View:
Mountain View Police Services Fire Administration Building Lobby
1000 Villa St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Press the yellow call box button on weekends and holidays to request entry into the lobby. Staff is not available on Sundays for business purposes. (All ages).
Hours of Operation:
Friday, May 30, from 8am - 5pm
Saturday, May 31, from 9am - 3pm
Mountain View Community Center Lobby
201 S Rengstorff Ave., Mountain View, CA 94040
(All ages)
Hours of Operation:
Friday, May 30, from 8:30am - 5pm
Saturday, May 31, from 9am – 10am
Mountain View Library
585 Franklin St., Mountain View, CA 94041
(All ages)
Hours of Operation:
Friday, May 30, from 10am - 6pm
Saturday, May 31, from 10am – 6pm
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.
- 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 shady areas: Find shady places to cool down when outdoors.
- Check on frail or elderly family, friends, or neighbors often.
Older Adults and Individuals With Chronic Medical Conditions
- During peak heat hours stay in an air-conditioned area, whenever possible.
- Older adults and those on certain medications may not exhibit signs of dehydration until several hours after dehydration sets in. Stay hydrated by frequently drinking cool water. If you’re on a special diet that limits liquids, check with your doctor for information on the amount of water to consume.
- Stay out of the sun if you do not need to be in it. When in the sun, wear a hat, preferably with a wide brim, and loose-fitting, light-colored clothing with long sleeves and pants to protect against sun damage. And remember to use sun screen and to wear sunglasses.
Infants and Children
- It is illegal to leave an infant or child unattended in a vehicle (California Vehicle Code Section 15620).
- Infants and young children can get dehydrated very quickly. Make sure they are given plenty of cool water to drink.
- Keep children indoors or shaded as much as possible.
- Dress children in loose, lightweight, and light-colored clothing.