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 a.m. and 8 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.
Hourly temperature forecast
Menlo Park has air-conditioned facilities where you can escape the heat. This always includes both libraries and recreation center facilities during regular operating hours and during designated cooling center hours:
| Facility |
Designated cooling center hours*
|
|
Menlo Park Library
800 Alma St.
650-330-2520
|
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays: Noon–8 p.m.
Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
|
|
Belle Haven Branch Library
413 Ivy Drive
650-330-2540
|
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays: Noon–8 p.m.
Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
|
|
Arrillaga Family Recreation Center
700 Alma St.
650-330-2200
|
Mondays - Fridays: 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
Saturdays: 8 a.m.–Noon.
|
*Hours may change depending on weather conditions.
Heat stroke
| What to look for |
What to do |
- High body temperature (103°F or higher)
- Hot, red, dry, or damp skin
- Fast, strong pulse
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Losing consciousness (passing out)
|
- Call 911 right away-heat stroke is a medical emergency
- Move the person to a cooler place
- Help lower the person’s temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath
- Do not give the person anything to drink
|
Heat exhaustion
| What to look for |
What to do |
- Heavy sweating
- Cold, pale and clammy skin
- Fast, weak pulse
- Nausea or vomiting
- Muscle cramps
- Tiredness or weakness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Fainting (passing out)
|
- Move to a cool place
- Loosen your clothes
- Put cool, wet cloths on your body or take a cool bath
- Sip water
Get medical help right away if:
- You are throwing up
- Your symptoms get worse
- Your symptoms last longer than 1 hour
|
Heat cramps
| What to look for |
What to do |
- Heavy sweating during intense exercise
- Muscle pain or spasms
|
- Stop physical activity and move to a cool place
- Drink water or a sports drink
- Wait for cramps to go away before you do any more physical activity
Get medical help right away if:
- Cramps last longer than 1 hour
- You’re on a low-sodium diet
- You have heart problems
|
Sunburn
| What to look for |
What to do |
- Painful, red and warm skin
- Blisters on the skin
|
- Stay out of the sun until your sunburn heals
- Put cool cloths on sunburned areas or take a cool bath
- Put moisturizing lotion on sunburned areas
- Do not break blisters
|
Heat rash
| What to look for |
What to do |
| Red clusters of small blisters that look like pimples on the skin (usually on the neck, chest, groin or in elbow creases) |
- Stay in a cool, dry place
- Keep the rash dry
- Use powder (like baby powder) to soothe the rash
|
- Drink plenty of water: Drink water even if you don’t feel thirsty, and 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, generally 10 a.m. to 4 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
- Wear cool clothing: Lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting cotton clothing can help you keep cool
- Do not bundle babies: Babies do not handle heat well because their sweat glands are not fully developed, so 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 higher SPF 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
- Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 911.
- It is illegal to leave an infant or child unattended in a vehicle (Cal. Vehicle Code §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
- 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.