City of Cambridge to Open Cooling Center for Residents during Extreme Heat Event

To provide opportunities for residents to stay out of the extreme heat this week, the City of Cambridge is opening a cooling center beginning on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, and welcoming people to come cool down in certain city buildings. Given the concerns about the highly contagious delta variant and the potential for fully vaccinated people to transmit the virus, the Cambridge Public Health Department recommends that residents—vaccinated and not—wear a mask when indoors outside the home.

On Wednesday, August 11, the City of Cambridge will open a cooling center in the Field House at the War Memorial Recreation Center located at 1640 Cambridge Street. The cooling center will be open from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Wednesday, August 11, Thursday, August 12, and Friday, August 13.

Cambridge residents looking to utilize the cooling center can enter the facility via the walkway between the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School's Arts building and the Main Library (door 20). The cooling center is open to residents of all ages. Individuals coming to the cooling center should remember to bring any required medications.

Cambridge Public Library branches will be open to the public for services and as a place for residents to cool off. Hours of operation are:

The Cambridge Citywide Senior Center located at 806 Massachusetts Avenue in Central Square, will be open to seniors from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, and 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday. General questions about the Citywide Senior Center can be directed to the Council on Aging's main line at, 617-349-6220. Additionally, the Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) is offering free transportation to help older adults and adults with disabilities cope with heat waves.  SCES is providing round-trip cab rides to local cooling centers for older adults. To arrange for transportation, call 617-628-2601 and ask for the Transportation Department.

Locations such as CambridgeSide and local movie theaters are also all good places to cool off. Additionally, Gold Star Pool is open to residents (Monday through Friday from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. and on weekends and holidays from 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.), and waterplay features across the city are operational.

Extreme temperatures pose a severe risk to the safety and health of people remaining outdoors. If you are concerned about yourself or someone you see on the street, please contact the FirstStep Street Outreach team at 617-592-6895 or call 911 if it is a medical emergency.

Cambridge Police vehicles will have coolers of cold bottles of water, and officers on patrol will distribute water to any residents in the community who are in need.

Call 911 in an Emergency (Heat Stroke):

Signs of heat stroke include:

• body temperature over 103 degrees
• hot, red, dry, or moist skin
• rapid and strong pulse
• and possible unconsciousness

If someone is showing signs of heat stroke, call 911 immediately. While waiting for help to arrive, move the person into a cool area, help cool them down with wet towels or a cool bath, and do not give them fluids.

Some medications can impact the body's ability to regulate heat and thus place those who take them at more risk for heat-related issues. View list of common Medications that can impair thermoregulation.

For more information and tips on how to stay healthy and safe during hot weather and extreme heat, visit:  https://www.cambridgema.gov/news/2021/06/extremeheatinformation