Excessive heat

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Overview

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

Cooling centers

Menlo Park has air-conditioned facilities where you can escape the heat. This always includes City libraries and recreation centers during regular operating hours and during designated cooling center hours: 

Facility  Designated cooling center hours*

Arrillaga Family Recreation Center
700 Alma St.
650-330-2200

Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. - Noon

Belle Haven Community Campus
100 Terminal Ave
650-330-2205

Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Menlo Park Library
800 Alma St.
650-330-2520

Monday - Wednesday: Noon - 8 p.m.
Thursday - Sunday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

*Hours may change depending on weather conditions.

Heat-related illness warning signs and symptoms

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

Hot weather safety tips

  • 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.

Infants and children

  • 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

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.