Here's how to get ready for extreme heat in Berkeley
In the days ahead, check on people living alone and watch for signs of heat illness.
Take steps to protect your health during this week's excessive heat warning, with dangerously hot temperatures expected through Saturday, July 6, at 8 p.m.
Prepare your household, neighbors and loved ones this week by:
- Planning to visit a city library, senior center or other air-conditioned facility if it gets too hot
- Gathering supplies such as fans, curtains and lightweight clothing to keep cool
- Buddying up with others to check in on vulnerable people in your network
Make sure to sign up for AC Alert for updates about this weather event and other emergencies.
Where to go if your home gets too hot
Visit city libraries and senior centers during normal operating hours (closed Thursday, July 4) if you need a safe, cool place to escape the heat. These sites have air conditioning:
Central Library, 2090 Kittredge St.
- Wednesday, July 3, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday, July 5-6, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Claremont Branch Library, 2940 Benvenue Ave.
- Wednesday, July 2-3, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday, July 5-6, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Tarea Hall Pittman South Branch Library, 1901 Russell St.
- Wednesday, July 2-3, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday, July 5-6, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave.
- Wednesday, July 3, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Friday, July 5, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St.
- Wednesday, July 2-3, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Buddy up with your friends, family and neighbors
Take action to keep yourself and your community safe during the excessive heat warning:
- At least twice a day through Saturday, check on people living alone, elders and people with medical conditions that make them more vulnerable to the heat
- Never leave kids or pets unattended in vehicles
- Limit strenuous outdoor activities and drink water to stay hydrated
- If you must work or spend time outside, take frequent breaks in the shade
Watch out for signs of heat illness, like nausea, dizziness, confusion, headache and pale skin. Call for help or 911 if you see any of these symptoms in yourself or others.
Use basic supplies to keep cool
In hot temperatures, sweating cools your body down. In this process, you lose water, so plan to stay hydrated in these ways:
- Prepare ice and cold water to drink
- Eat foods with high water content, including most vegetables
- Use a damp towel to help keep your skin wet and stand in front of a fan to keep you cool
- Wear loose, light-colored clothing that reflects heat
Keep cool without air conditioning
Keep your home cool by using windows, curtains and fans to keep cool air moving around.
In the early morning, open your windows to let cool air inside. Once the cool air is inside, close the windows and use curtains — sheets, or reflective film will also work — to block sunlight and heat throughout the day.
We will continue to monitor this weather event for any changes. Until then, it is always a good idea to be ready for wildfire evacuation and to check PG&E for any power outages in your area.
Berkeley cooling centers
More resources
Fire preparedness tools
- Wildfire evacuation
- Wildfire readiness video series
- Fire weather planning tool: A step-by-step guide
- Vegetation management
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This item was originally published on the city of Berkeley website. Keep up with news from the city of Berkeley by email or via the city website, X and Instagram.
