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Weekend Heat Wave: Hot Weather Tips, Cooling Center List

[CREDIT: NWS] A heat wave is predicted for the central and eastern areas of the U.S. this weekend.

[CREDIT: NWS] A heat wave is predicted for the central and eastern areas of the U.S. this weekend.
[CREDIT: NWS] A heat wave is predicted for the central and eastern areas of the U.S. this weekend.
TAUNTON, MA — A large ridge of high pressure extending from the Central to Eastern U.S. is about to  deliver a dangerous summer heat wave through the weekend, with record highs and overnight temperatures, with a predicted 108 degree heat index Saturday in Rhode Island.

The National Weather Service reports widespread excessive heat warnings and heat advisories already cover the Eastern two-thirds of the country. Heat indices will surge past 100 degrees and approach the 110s, according to the NWS.

According to the NWS forecast for the Rhode Island, temperatures will reach highs of 97 degrees both Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, however, the heat index, or how hot it will feel with the humidity factored in, will be 108 degrees.

Such heat and humidity may cause heat stress during outdoor exertion or extended exposure, according to the NWS.

Heat advisory basics

The NWS warns that heat illnesses are possible. To limit the risk of falling victim to the heat, the NWS and the RI Department of Health recommend:

  • Drink more fluids than usual, and don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink more fluids. Avoid alcohol or liquids that contain high amounts of sugar.
  • Check on friends and neighbors, particularly older adults and those who are caring for young children.
  • Stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. If you don’t have air conditioning at home, see the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA)’s list of cooling centers.
  • Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Add a hat if you must be outside.
  • Limit outdoor activities, especially at mid-day. If you exercise outdoors, move your workout to a morning or evening time.
  • If you work outside, wear sunscreen, pace your activity, stay hydrated, and check on co-workers.
  • Take cool showers or baths to cool down, particularly if you’re unable to be in an air-conditioned location.
  • Avoid turning on your oven, if possible. It will make your house hotter.
  • Never leave young children or pets in parked cars, even with the windows down.
  • If you have special healthcare needs, consider enrolling in the Rhode Island Special Needs Emergency Registry (RISNER). Enrolling in RISNER lets police, fire, and other first responders in your community better prepare for and respond to your needs during an emergency. When enrolling in the registry, a person provides information about their healthcare needs (for example, information about mobility issues, information about a visual or hearing impairment, information about the use of a life support system, such as a respirator). For more information or to enroll, visit health.ri.gov/emregistry or call 211/RI Relay 711.
  • When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening.
  • Wear light-weight and loose fitting clothing.
  • During outdoor work, take frequent  breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments.

Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke

Heat Exhaustion symptoms include heavy sweating; weakness; cold, pale, or clammy skin; a fast or weak pulse; nausea or vomiting; and fainting.

Move to a cooler location, lie down, loosen clothing, sip water, and apply cool, wet cloths to help cool the body down. Seek medical attention if vomiting begins, or if symptoms get worse or last longer than one hour.

Heat Stroke symptoms include high body temperature (above 103 degrees F) combined with hot, red, dry, or moist skin; rapid and strong pulse; confusion; and loss of consciousness.

Heat stroke is a medical emergency. 911 should be called immediately. Individuals experiencing heat stroke symptoms should also be moved to a cooler environment. Apply cool cloths or place the person into a cool bath to lower body temperature. Fans and ice packs can also be used to cool someone. Ice packs should be placed on the neck, under the armpit, or in the groin area (because these are the areas where large arteries are closest to the surface of the skin).

Working in the heat? Here’s an app for that.

When you’re working in the heat, safety is a life saver. The free OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool, available for Android and Iphone, offers safety information available   on your mobile phone.

The App allows workers and supervisors to calculate the heat index for their worksite, and, based on the heat index, displays a risk level to outdoor workers. Then, with a simple “click,” you can get reminders about the protective measures that should be taken at that risk level to protect workers from heat-related illness-reminders about drinking enough fluids, scheduling rest breaks, planning for and knowing what to do in an emergency, adjusting work operations, gradually building up the workload for new workers, training on heat illness signs and symptoms, and monitoring each other for signs and symptoms of heat-related illness.

Rhode Island cooling center list

The following indoor, air-conditioned locations across the state have been designated as cooling centers for the public to take shelter from the heat during the heat wave:

Barrington:

Barrington Public Library: 281 County Rd

  • Mon – Fri: 9 AM – 4:30 PM

Barrington Public Safety Building: 100 Federal Rd; 24/7

  • Mon – Fri: 9 AM – 4:30 PM

Bristol:

Roger’s Free Library: 525 Hope St

  • Mon – Fri: 9 AM – 8 PM
  • Fri – Sat: 9 AM – 5 PM

Quinta-Gamelin Recreation Center: 101 Asylum Rd

  • Mon-Fri 8 AM – 6 PM

Burrillville:

Jesse Smith Library: 100 Tinkham Lane

  • Mon – Wed: 10 AM – 8:30 PM
  • Thurs: 1 PM – 8:30 PM
  • Fri: 10 AM – 5 PM
  • Sat: 10 AM – 2 PM

Charlestown:

Cross’ Mills Public Library: 4417 Old Post Rd

  • Mon: 1 PM – 8 PM
  • Tues: 9 AM – 1 PM
  • Wed: 9 AM – 6 PM
  • Thurs: 9 AM – 8 PM
  • Fri: 1 PM – 6 PM
  • Sat: 9 AM – 3 PM

Coventry:

Coventry Public Library: 1672 Flat River Rd

    • Mon – Thurs: 9 AM – 8 PM
    • Fri: 9 AM – 5 PM
    • Sat: 9 AM – 1 PM
    • Sat: 9 AM – 1 PM

 

Any Police Station or Fire Station In Coventry:

      • Available Off Hours

Cranston:

Arlington Library: 1064 Cranston St

      • Mon – Wed: 10 AM – 4: 30 PM
      • Fri: 10 AM – 4:30 PM

Auburn Library: 396 Pontiac Ave

      • Mon – Wed: 10 AM – 6 PM
      • Fri: 10 AM – 6 PM
      • Sat: 10 AM – 5 PM

Central Library: 140 Sockanosset Cross Rd

      • Mon – Wed: 9 AM – 8 PM
      • Thurs – Sat: 9 AM – 5 PM

Knightsville Library: 1847 Cranston St

      • Mon: 1 PM – 8 PM
      • Tues – Wed: 11 AM – 6 PM
      • Fri: 11 AM – 5 PM

Oaklawn Library: 230 Wilbur Avenue

      • Tues & Wed: 10 AM – 5 PM
      • Fri & Sat: 10 AM – 5 PM

William Hall Library: 1825 Broad St

      • Mon & Thurs: 10 AM – 8 PM
      • Tues & Wed: 12 PM – 8 PM
      • Sat: 10 AM – 5 PM

Cumberland:

Cumberland Public Library: 1464 Diamond Hill Rd

      • Mon – Thurs: 9 AM – 8 PM
      • Fri 9 AM – 5 PM
      • Sat: 9 AM – 1 PM

East Greenwich:

East Greenwich Police Station Community Room: 176 1st Ave; 24/7

Swift Community Center: 121 Pierce St

      • Mon – Fri: 8:30 AM – 4 PM

East Providence:

Riverside Library: 475 Bullocks Point Ave

      • Mon – Thurs: 9 AM – 8 PM
      • Fri: 10 AM – 5 PM
      • Sat & Sat: 10 AM – 8 PM

Senior Center: 600 Waterman Ave

      • Mon – Fri: 8 AM – 4 PM
      • Sat & Sat: 10 AM – 8 PM

Weaver Library: 41 Grove Ave

      • Mon – Thurs: 9 AM – 8 PM
      • Fri: 9 AM – 5 PM
      • Sat & Sat: 10 AM – 8 PM

Exeter:

Exeter Library: 773 Ten Rod Rd

      • Tues – Thurs: 10 AM – 8 PM
      • Fri: 10 AM – 5 PM

Foster:

Foster Public Library: 184 Howard Hill Rd

      • Tues – Thurs: 12 PM – 6 PM
      • Fri: 12 PM – 6 PM
      • Sat: 10 AM – 2 PM

Tyler Free Library: 81A Moosup Valley Rd

      • Mon: 2 PM – 8 PM
      • Wed: 10 AM – 8 PM
      • Fri: 1 PM – 5 PM

Glocester:

Glocester Manton Library: 1137 Putnam Pike

      • Mon – Wed: 10 AM – 8 PM
      • Fri: 10 AM – 8 PM
      • Sat: 10 AM – 3 PM

Glocester Senior Center: 1210 Putnam Pike

      • Mon – Fri: 9 AM – 4 PM

Harmony Library: 195 Putnam Pike

      • Mon – Thurs: 10 AM – 8 PM
      • Sat: 10 AM – 4 PM

Glocester Town Hall: 1145 Putnam Pike

      • ***Will be opened as needed, hours to be determined. This is not a standing Cooling Center. Regular hours Mon – Fri: 8 AM – 4:30 PM***

Hopkinton:

Ashaway Free Library: 15 Knight St, Ashaway

      • Mon: 10 AM – 5 PM
      • Tues: 4 PM – 8 PM
      • Wed: 10 AM – 8 PM
      • Thurs: 4 PM – 8 PM
      • Fri: 10 AM – 5 PM
      • Sat: 9 AM – 1 PM

Hopkinton Town Hall: 1 Town House Rd

      • 9 AM – 4 PM (Wed – Fri)

Jamestown:

Jamestown Police Station: 250 Conanicus Ave

      • 24 Hours

Town Hall 93 Narragansett Ave

        • Mon – Fri: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Jamestown Library: 26 North Rd

        • Mon: 10 AM – 8 PM
        • Tues: 10 AM – 8 PM
        • Wed: 10 AM – 8 PM
        • Thurs: 12 PM – 8 PM
        • Fri: 10 AM – 5 PM
        • Sat: 10 AM – 5 PM

Johnston:

Johnston Public Library: 1 Memorial Ave

      • Mon – Thurs: 9 AM – 8 PM
      • Fri: 9 AM – 6 PM

Middletown:

Middletown Library: 708 W. Main Rd

      • Mon – Thurs: 9:30 AM – 8 PM
      • Fri – Sat: 9:30 AM – 5 PM

Senior Center: 650 Green End Ave

      • Mon – Fri: 9 AM – 4 PM

Town Hall: 350 E. Main Rd

      • Mon – Fri: 8 AM – 4 PM

Narragansett:

Narragansett Library: 35 Kingstown Rd

      • Mon – Thurs: 9:30 AM – 8:30 PM
      • Fri: 9:30 AM – 5 PM
      • Sat: 9:30 AM – 5 PM (Sept – May)
      • Sat: 9:30 AM – 2 PM (May – Aug)
      • Sun: 12 PM – 4 PM (Late Sept – April)

Newport:

Donovan Manor: 19 Chapel St

      • Mon – Fri: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Florence Gray Community Center: 1 Shimoda Way

      • Mon – Fri: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Newport Public Library: 300 Spring St

      • Mon: 12 AM – 8:30 PM
      • Tues – Thurs: 9 AM – 8:30 PM
      • Fri – Sat: 9 AM – 5:30 PM

New Shoreham:

Island Free Library: 9 Dodge St

      • Tues: 11 AM – 7 PM
      • Wed – Fri: 10 AM – 5 PM
      • Sat: 10 AM – 3 PM

North Kingstown:

Senior Center: 44 Beach St

      • Mon – Fri: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

North Kingstown Library: 100 Boone St

      • Mon – Thurs: 9 AM – 8:30 PM
      • Fri – Sat: 9 AM – 5 PM

North Providence:

Salvatore Mancini Resource & Activity Center: 2 Atlantic Blvd

      • Mon – Fri: 8 AM – 4 PM

Pawtucket:

Blackstone Valley Visitor Center: 175 Main St

      • Mon – Sun: 10 AM – 4 PM

Leon Mathieu Senior Center: 420 Main St

      • Mon – Fri: 8:30 AM – 4 PM

Pawtucket Police Department: 121 Roosevelt Ave; 24/7

Pawtucket Public Library: 13 Summer St

      • Mon – Sat: 9 AM – 4:45 PM

Portsmouth:

Portsmouth Multi-Purpose Senior Center: 110 Bristol Ferry Rd

      • Mon – Fri: 9 AM – 4 PM

Providence:

Crossroads RI: 160 Broadway Street

      • Sun – Sat: 24 hrs / 7 days a week

Davinci Center for Community Progress: 470 Charles Street

      • Mon – Fri: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Federal Hill House: 9 Courtland Street

      • Mon – Fri: 9 AM – 6 PM

Fox Point Library: 90 Ives St

      • Mon: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
      • Tues: 1 PM – 8 PM
      • Wed – Fri: 1 PM – 6 PM

Mt. Pleasant Library: 315 Academy Ave

      • Mon – Tues: 1 PM – 9 PM
      • Wed: 12 PM – 6 PM
      • Thurs: 9:30 AM – 6 PM
      • Fri – Sat: 1 PM – 6 PM

Olneyville Library: 1 Olneyville Square

      • Mon: 1 PM – 6 PM
      • Tues: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
      • Wed: 1 PM – 8 PM
      • Thurs – Fri: 1 PM – 6 PM

Providence Public Library: 150 Empire Street

      • Mon: 12 PM – 8:30 PM
      • Tues: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
      • Wed – Fri:: 1 PM – 6 PM

Providence Rescue Mission: 627 Cranston Street #1

      • Thur: 24 hrs
      • Fri: 24 hrs
      • Sat: 24 hrs

Rochambeau Library: 708 Hope St

      • Mon: 1 PM – 8:45 PM
      • Tues – Wed: 9:30 AM – 5:45 PM
      • Thurs: 1 PM – 8:45 PM
      • Fri -Sat: 1 PM – 5:45 PM

Silver Lake Annex Multi-Purpose Community Center: 529 Plainfield Street

      • Mon – Fri: 6:30 AM – 5 PM

Smith Hill Library: 31 Candance Ave

      • Mon – Tues: 1 PM – 6 PM
      • Wed: 9 AM – 8 PM
      • Thurs: 1 PM – 5:30 PM
      • Fri: 1 PM – 6 PM

South Providence Library: 441 Prairie Ave

      • Mon: 1 PM – 6 PM
      • Tues: 1 PM – 8 PM
      • Wed: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
      • Thurs – Fri: 1 PM – 6 PM

Wanskuck Library: 233 Veazie St

      • Mon: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
      • Tues – Wed: 1 PM – 6 PM
      • Thurs: 1 PM – 8 PM
      • Fri: 1 PM – 6 PM

Washington Park Library: 1316 Broad St

      • Mon: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
      • Tues – Wed: 1 PM – 6 PM
      • Thurs: 1 PM – 8 PM
      • Fri: 1 Pm – 6 PM

West End Community Center: 109 Bucklin Street

      • Mon – Fri: 6:30 AM – 5:30 PM

Richmond:

Clark Memorial Library: 7 Pinehurst Dr, Carolina

      • Mon – Tues: 1 PM – 8 PM
      • Wed: 10 AM – 8 PM
      • Thurs: 1 PM – 8 PM
      • Fri: 10 AM – 5 PM
      • Sat: 10 AM – 2 PM

Scituate:

Chopmist Hill Senior Center: 1315 Chopmist Hill Rd

      • Wed – Fri: 9:30 AM – 3 PM

Hope Library: 374 North Rd

      • Mon: 10 AM – 5 PM
      • Tues – Thurs: 1 PM – 8 PM
      • Fri: 10 AM – 5 PM
      • Sat: 9 AM – 2 PM

North Scituate Library: 606 West Greenville Rd

      • Mon: 1 PM – 8 PM
      • Tues: 10 AM – 8 PM
      • Wed: 1 PM – 8 PM
      • Thurs: 10 AM – 8 PM
      • Sat: 10 AM – 4 PM

Smithfield:

East Smithfield Public Library: 50 Esmond St

      • Mon – Tues: 10 AM – 9 PM
      • Wed: 10 AM – 7 PM
      • Thurs: 10 AM – 9 PM
      • Fri: 10 AM – 7 PM

Greenville Public Library: 573 Putnam Pike

      • Mon – Thurs: 9 AM – 8 PM
      • Fri – Sat: 9 AM – 5 PM
      • Sun: 1 PM – 5 PM

Smithfield Municipal Ice Rink: 109 Pleasant View Ave

      • Sun – Sat: 10 AM – 8 PM

South Kingstown:

Kingston Free Library: 2605 Kingstown Rd

      • Mon – Tues: 10 AM – 6 PM
      • Wed: 10 AM – 8 PM
      • Thurs: 12 PM – 8 PM
      • Fri: 10 AM – 5 PM
      • Sat: 9 AM – 12 PM

Neighborhood Guild: 325 Columbia St

      • Mon – Fri: 8 AM – 8:30 PM

Peace Dale Library: 1057 Kingstown Rd

      • Mon: 9 AM – 8 PM
      • Tues – Thurs: 9 AM – 6 PM
      • Fri: 9 AM – 5 PM
      • Sat: 9 AM – 1 PM

Senior Center: 25 St. Dominic Rd

      • Mon – Fri: 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Tiverton:

Tiverton Public Library: 34 Roosevelt Dr

      • Mon – Thurs: 10 AM – 8 PM
      • Fri: 10 AM – 5 PM
      • Sat: 10 AM – 4 PM

Warren:

Andreozzi Hall: 20 Libby Ln

      • Mon – Thurs: 10 AM – 8 PM
      • Fri: 10 AM – 5 PM
      • Sat: 10 AM – 3 PM

George Hail Free Library: 530 Main St

      • Mon – Thurs: 10 AM – 8 PM
      • Fri: 10 AM – 5 PM
      • Sat: 10 AM – 3 PM

Warwick:

Pilgrim Senior Center: 27 Pilgrim Parkway

      • Mon – Fri: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Warwick Public Library: 600 Sandy Ln

      • Mon – Thurs: 9 AM – 9 PM
      • Fri – Sat: 9 AM – 5 PM

Westerly:

Westerly Public Library: 44 Broad St

      • Mon – Wed: 9 AM – 8 PM
      • Thurs – Fri: 9 Am – 6 PM
      • Sat: 9 AM – 4 PM

West Greenwich:

West Greenwich Library: 274 Victory Highway

      • Mon: 10 AM – 4 PM
      • Tues – Thurs: 10 AM – 8 PM
      • Fri – Sat: 10 AM – 4 PM

West Warwick:

West Warwick Public Library: 1043 Main St

      • Mon – Wed: 9:00 AM – 9 PM
      • Thurs: 9:00 AM – 5PM
      • Fri: 9:00 AM – 5 PM

West Warwick Youth/Police Annex: 40 Factory St

      • Mon – Fri: 8:30 AM – 4 PM

Woonsocket:

Woonsocket Senior Center: 84 Social St

      • Mon – Fri: 8 AM – 4 PM

Woonsocket Harris Public Library: 303 Clinton St

      • Mon: 9 AM – 9 PM
      • Tue: 9 AM – 5 PM
      • Wed: 9 AM – 9 PM
      • Thru: 9 AM – 9 PM
      • Fri: 9 AM – 5 PM
      • Sat: 9 AM – 5 PM (Sept through May)
      • Sun: Closed

Woonsocket Police Station Lobby Area: 242 Clinton St

      • Weekends and Library/Senior Center Off Hours

Landmark Medical Center Lobby Area: 115 Cass Ave

      • Mon – Sun: 9 AM – 9 PM

Mt. St. Charles Ice Arena: 800 Ledge St

    • Mon – Fri: 8 AM – 4 PM
    • Sat & Sun: 9 AM – 12 PM

 

Rob Borkowski
Author: Rob Borkowski

Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.

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