Beat the Heat

Immediate Assistance

• Call 911 if you or someone else is experiencing a life threatening emergency 24 hours a day. If you are unable to call, you may also text 911.
• Excessive heat significantly increases the potential for heat-related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities.

Stay Cool & Be Safe

Safety is our top priority during heat waves and dangerous fire conditions.

• Call 211 for transportation resources, help finding shelter, or other assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Stay in air conditioned spaces when possible.
• Avoid using fans as your primary cooling device, especially when it gets extremely hot inside. Instead, mist yourself with a spray bottle, and then use the fan to get the cooling benefits of evaporation.
• Drink plenty of fluids, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Water is best. Limit sugary drinks, caffeine, and alcohol. 
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing – and sunscreen.
• Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside.
• To reduce risk during outdoor work, schedule frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments.
• Exercise in the early morning when it’s cooler.
• Avoid strenuous activity in the heat of the day.
• Take cool showers or baths.
• Get a baby pool or play in a sprinkler. 
• Avoid doing laundry.
• Eat small, light meals.
• Wear a lifejacket and take other safety precautions in rivers and lakes. More information on water safety is available on the Red Cross webpage. 

Check In With Family, Friends, and Neighbors

Check in with your family, friends, and neighbors — especially young children, older adults, and people with chronic medical problems — as they are more vulnerable to heat-related illness. Never leave pets or children unattended in vehicles.

A Place to Cool Off

Visit our Cornelius Public Library during their normal hours of operation to take a break from the high temperatures. Please note: The Cornelius Public Library is not an official cooling shelter.

For more places to stay cool, visit Washington County's map. 

No Air Conditioning? 5 Tips to Stay Cool

1. Let cool nighttime air in.
   Open windows before bed, close in the morning.
    
2. Keep blinds closed.
   Block sunlight and heat from getting in.
    
3. Use fans & mist/water.
   Fans should rotate counter-clockwise.
    
4. Cook outdoors.
   Avoid using your stove or oven.
    
5. Sleep low.   
   Heat rises, sleep on the lowest level possible.

Heat-related illness can be extremely dangerous, even deadly. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website to learn about signs, symptoms and treatment.

Ride Services

DO NOT wait for public transit during dangerously hot temperatures.

• Call someone you trust for a ride or schedule a ride with a private service.
• Call 211 for transportation resources or other assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Older adults who need transportation can call the Aging & Disability Resource Connection at 503-846-3060 Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.
• People with disabilities and older adults are eligible for free door-to-door ride services from Ride Connection. Availability and days of service vary. Call 503-225-0700 or Text Telephone (TTY) 7-1-1 to get set up.

Wear Sunscreen

Sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool down and can make you dehydrated. If you must go outdoors, protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going out.