The City of Santa Ana offers nine cooling centers to help beat the heat

City of Santa Ana

Community Alert: WITH PEAKING TEMPERATURES, CITY OF SANTA ANA OFFERS NINE COOLING CENTERS TO HELP BEAT THE HEAT

Orange County is currently experiencing hot weather with some areas reporting temperatures in excess of 100 degrees. Over the next several days temperatures in Santa Ana are expected to peak near 95 degrees. These temperatures combined with the usually high humidity can present a health hazard to the elderly or sick.

The City of Santa Ana continues to offer nine cooling center facilities where people may go to enjoy air-conditioned comfort during a heat emergency. The facilities do not provide any extra services such as food, water or medical services. The cooling centers are open to the public during regular business hours.

Below is a list of Santa Ana Cooling Centers:

• Central Branch Library
  26 Civic Center Plaza
  Santa Ana, CA 92701
  714-647-5251
  Monday-Thursday: 10am to 9pm
  Friday-Saturday: 10am to 6pm
  Sunday: Closed
  No Pets
• Newhope Library Learning Center
  122 North Newhope St.
  Santa Ana, CA 92703
  714-647-6992
  Monday-Thursday: 2pm to 7pm
  Saturday: 10am to 5pm
  Friday and Sunday: Closed
  No Pets
• Salgado Community Center
  706 N. Newhope Street
  Santa Ana, CA 92703
  714-571-4267
  Monday-Friday: 10am to 9:00pm
  Saturday: 9am to 4pm
  Sunday: Closed
  No Pets
• El Salvador Community Center
  1825 W. Civic Center Drive
  Santa Ana, CA 92703
  714-647-6558
  Monday-Friday: 8am to 7pm
  Saturday-Sunday: closed
  No Pets
• Southwest Senior Center
  2201 W. McFadden Avenue
  Santa Ana, CA 92704
  714-647-5306
  Monday-Thursday: 8am to 9pm
  Friday-8am to 6pm
  Saturday-Sunday: closed
  No Pets
• Santa Ana Senior Center
  424 W. 3rd Street
  Santa Ana, CA 92701
  714-647-6540
  Monday-Friday: 8am to 5pm
  Saturday-Sunday: closed
  No Pets
• Santa Anita Community Center
  300 S. Figueroa Street
  Santa Ana, CA 92703
  714-647-6552
  Monday-Thursday: 1pm to 8pm
  Friday: 1pm to 6:00pm
  Sat-Sunday: 9am-12pm
  No Pets
• Jerome Center
  726 S. Center Street
  Santa Ana, CA 92704
  714-647-6559
  Monday-Friday: 8am to 9pm
  Saturday: 9am to 2pm
  Sunday: Closed
  No Pets
• Garfield Community Center
  501 North Lacy Street
  Santa Ana, CA 92701
  714-571-4288
  Monday-Thursday: 12pm to 8pm
  Friday: 1pm to 6:00pm
  Sat-Sunday: Closed
  No Pets

Prolonged exposure to excessive temperatures may cause serious conditions like heat exhaustion or heat stroke and can even be fatal. Symptoms of heat exhaustion may include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, headache, nausea or vomiting and dizziness.

Warning signs of heat stroke may include an extremely high body temperature, unconsciousness, confusion, hot and dry skin (no sweating), a rapid, strong pulse, and a throbbing headache. If symptoms of heat stroke occur, immediately call for medical assistance. Move the person to a shady area and begin cooling their body with water.

Recommended precautions to prevent heat related illnesses include:

• Drink plenty of water; don’t wait until you are thirsty.

• Wear light, loose-fitting clothing.

• Stay out of the sun if possible, and when in the sun wear a hat, preferably with a wide brim, and use sunscreen.

• Avoid strenuous activities if you are outside or in non-air conditioned buildings. If you are working outdoors, take frequent rest and refreshment breaks in a shaded area.

• Never leave children, elderly people or pets unattended in closed cars or other vehicles.

• Check on those who are at high risk to make sure they are staying cool – including seniors who live alone, people with heart or lung disease, and young children.

• Stay cool indoors – if your home is not air conditioned, visit public facilities such as shopping malls and libraries to stay cool.

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Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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