Hempstead Town Announces Cooling Centers Open During Heat Wave

With high temperatures expected this weekend, the Town of Hempstead announced today that it was preparing cooling centers to help residents get relief from the heat.

The cooling centers will be open from Friday through Sunday, during what is expected to be the worst parts of the predicted heat wave. Utilizing senior centers on Friday and park facilities on Saturday and Sunday, air-conditioned rooms will be available to provide residents in need of a refreshing break from the all-too-hot weather outside.

The following Hempstead Town senior centers will be open to the public as cooling centers on Friday, July 19 from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.:

• Baldwin Senior Center: 1810 Grand Ave., Baldwin
• Bellmore Senior Center: 2000 Bellmore Ave., Bellmore
• Franklin Square Senior Center: 1182 Martha Place, Franklin Square
• Green Acres Senior Center: 400 Flower Road, Valley Stream
• Hempstead Senior Center: 260 Clinton St., Hempstead
• Levittown Senior Center: 555 N. Newbridge Road, Levittown
• Merrick Senior Center: 2550 Clubhouse Road, Merrick
• Oceanside Senior Center: 2900 Rockaway Ave., Oceanside
• Rosa Parks Senior Center: 2 Babylon Turnpike, Roosevelt
• Salisbury-East Meadow Senior Center: 460 Salisbury Park Drive, Westbury
• Wantagh Senior Center: 1150 Seamans Neck Road, Wantag

Over the weekend, these Hempstead Town park facilities will be open from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.:

• Merrick Golf Clubhouse: 2550 Clubhouse Road, Merrick
• Baldwin Park: 3232 South Grand Ave., Baldwin Harbor
• Averill Boulevard Park: 145 Averill Blvd., Elmont
• Hewlett Point Park: 130 Hewlett Point Ave., Bay Park
• Senator Speno Memorial Park: 745 East Meadow Ave., East Meadow
• Coes Neck Park: 1240 Coes Neck Road, Baldwin
• Salisbury Park Drive Ballfields: 2330 Salisbury Park Drive, East Meadow

The town also offered tips for residents on how to stay safe during the grueling heat:

• Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun.
• Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day, usually between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Consider performing these tasks in the early morning or evening hours.
• When in the sun, wear sunscreen and a hat to protect your face and head.
• Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty.
• Eat well-balanced, light and regular meals.
• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothes.
• Never leave children or pets in closed vehicles.
• Check on elderly family members, friends and neighbors.
• When indoors, use an air conditioner or fans to cool rooms if available.
• Cool down with repeated cool baths or showers.
• Consider going to public pools and air-conditioned stores and malls.
• Seniors and others who may be sensitive to extreme heat should contact friends, neighbors or relatives at least twice a day during a heat wave.