Stay Safe, Healthy and Cool This Weekend in Washington County

For Immediate Release: Thursday, June 22, 2017

Washington County Public Health is reminding people to take precautions over the next few days to avoid heat-related illnesses, such as heat cramps, heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

The most vulnerable individuals are those who work or exercise outdoors, older adults, infants, children under four, people with chronic medical conditions, and those experiencing homelessness.

“If your home doesn’t have air conditioning, find a place to stay cool. Consider visiting a library or indoor shopping mall to get away from the heat,” says Deputy Health Officer Dr. Christina Baumann. “Also, please remember to check on any vulnerable neighbors.”

The following locations are available for the public to take a break from the heat over the next few days:

• Beaverton City Library will be open from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday. The library is located at 12375 SW 5th Street.
• Beaverton City Library at Murray Scholls will be open from noon – 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday. The library is located at 11200 SW Murray Scholls Place, Suite 102.
• Boys & Girls Aid Safe Place for Youth will be open from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Friday and Sunday, and from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. Meals, snacks and water are available on site. Hot weather supplies such as hats, sunscreen and clothing are available. Youth may participate in daily programming and recreational activities. Safe Place for Youth is located at 454 SW Washington Street in Hillsboro. TriMet route numbers: 46, 47, 48, and 57 plus MAX.
• Cornelius Public Library will be open from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, and noon – 5 p.m. on Sunday. The library is located at 1355 N Barlow Street. TriMet route number 57.
• Hillsboro Brookwood Library will be open from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Water will be available. The library is located at 2850 Brookwood Parkway. TriMet route numbers 46 and 48.
• Hillsboro Community Senior Center will be open on 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday thru Friday. The senior center is located at 750 SE 8th Avenue. TriMet route numbers 46, 47, 48, and 57.
• Hillsboro Shute Park Aquatic & Recreation Center(SHARC), lobby area will be open from 5:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. on Friday, 7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, and 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Water will be available. The SHARC is located at 953 SE Maple Street. TriMet route numbers 46, 47, 48 and 57.
• Hillsboro Shute Park Library will be open from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Friday through Sunday. Water will be available. The library is located at 775 SE 10th Avenue. TriMet route numbers 46, 47, 48 and 57.
• Tigard Public Library will be open from 10 a.m. –9 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. –6 p.m. on Saturday, and noon –6 p.m. on Sunday. The library is located at 13500 SW Hall Blvd.
• Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District, Athletic Center will be open from 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Friday, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Sunday. Vending machines and water are available on site. The Athletic Center is located at 15707 SW Walker Road. TriMet route numbers 59 and 67.
• Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District, Cedar Hills Recreation Center will be open from 5:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday. Vending machines and water are available on site. The Cedar Hills Recreation Center is located at 11640 SW Parkway. TriMet route numbers 20 and 59.
• Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District, Conestoga Recreation & Aquatic Center will be open from 5:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Vending machines and water are available on site. The Conestoga Recreation & Aquatic Center is located at 9985 SW 125th. TriMet route numbers 62 and 92.
• Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District, Elsie Stuhr Center will be open from 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday. Water is available on site. The Elsie Stuhr Center is located at 5550 SW Hall Blvd.
• Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District, Garden Home Recreation Center will be open from 5:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. on Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday. Vending machines and water are available on site. The Garden Home Recreation Center is located at 7475 SW Oleson Road. TriMet route number 45.
• Tualatin Public Library will be open from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Friday and extended hours from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Saturday and 1 – 9 p.m. on Sunday. The library is located at 18878 SW Martinazzi Avenue. TriMet route numbers 76, 96 and 97 plus WES.
• Wilsonville Public Library will have extended hours on Saturday from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 – 8 p.m. Water is available on site. The library is located at 8200 SW Wilsonville Road.

Stay cool

• Stay in an air-conditioned indoor location as much as possible.
• Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device when it is very hot.
• Avoid strenuous activities in the heat of the day.
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Take cool showers or baths to lower your body temperature. Find a splash pad or fountain.
• Don’t use your stove, oven, washer or dryer on very hot days.
• Eat small, light meals.
• Close your blinds and curtains to keep sunlight out.
• If the temperature falls at night and it’s safe to do so, open your windows to let the cool air in.

Stay hydrated

• Drink plenty of fluids, especially while working or exercising outside.
• Avoid alcohol or sugary beverages.

For symptoms and treatment of heat-related illnesses, visit http://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/faq.html. 

Pets: Remember that pets are part of the family, too. “Dogs have more trouble handling hot weather than humans do, so watch them carefully,” says Deborah Wood, manager of Washington County Animal Services and the Bonnie Hays Animal Shelter. Signs that your pet is headed toward medical trouble include heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid pulse, unsteadiness, a staggering gait, vomiting, or a deep red or purple tongue. If you see these signs, contact your veterinarian’s office. Dogs with flat faces (such as pugs and bulldogs) need special care during hot weather and can quickly go into heat stroke if allowed to become too warm.
 
Washington County will post any updates to cooling center information at http://www.co.washington.or.us/HHS/hot-weather.cfm. 

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