Stay safe this summer! During periods of extreme heat, check on your neighbors, family, and friends, and know the signs of heat stroke in people and pets.
For People
Stay hydrated — even when you do not feel thirsty. Heat-related illness can sneak up on you, especially when you are having fun and not paying attention to how your body feels. Drink water consistently throughout the day and limit alcohol and sugary drinks, which can contribute to dehydration.
Dress for the heat. Choose lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. A wide-brimmed hat and sunscreen are your best friends when spending time outdoors this weekend.
Take regular breaks in the shade or air conditioning. Do not push through the heat. Step inside frequently to let your body cool down, especially during the hottest part of the day.
Know the signs of heat stroke. Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Symptoms include confusion, loss of consciousness, and a dangerously high body temperature. If you or someone around you shows these signs, call 911 immediately and move to a cool location while waiting for help.
Check on your neighbors. Elderly residents, young children, and those without access to air conditioning are among the most vulnerable during extreme heat events. Take a few minutes this weekend to check in on those around you. It could save a life.
For Pet Owners
Our pets feel the heat just as intensely as we do — and they are counting on us to protect them.The American Red Cross has steps you can take to help your pets stay safe this summer.
- Don’t leave your pet in a hot vehicle, even for a few minutes. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees even with the windows cracked open.
- Keep all unscreened windows or doors closed so pets don’t fall out of them.
- Trim longer hair, but never shave your dog.
- Brush cats more often than usual to help prevent problems caused by excessive heat.
- Do not leave pets unsupervised around a pool. Don’t let your pets drink from the pool, ocean or lake.
- Introduce your pets to water gradually and make sure they wear flotation devices when on boats.
- Rinse your dog off after swimming to remove chlorine or salt from their fur.
- Avoid hot surfaces, such as asphalt, that can burn your pet’s paws.
- Don’t walk, run or hike with a dog during the hottest parts of the day or on particularly warm days.
- Make sure your garden plants are safe for pets.
Keep your pets indoors as much as possible. Limit outdoor time to early morning or evening hours when it is cooler, and always provide access to fresh, cool water.
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Many local cities offer cooling stations during periods of extreme heat. Check hours and availability at the locations below.
Chesapeake:
- Central Library – 298 Cedar Rd.
- Dr. Clarence V. Cuffee Outreach and Innovation Library – 2726 Border Rd.
- Greenbrier Library – 1214 Volvo Parkway
- Indian River Library – 2320 Old Greenbrier Rd.
- Major Hillard Library – 824 Old George Washington Hwy., N.
- Russell Memorial Library – 2808 Taylor Rd.
- South Norfolk Memorial Library – 801 Poindexter St.
- Deep Creek Community Center – 2901 Margaret Booker Dr.
- Dr. Clarence V. Cuffee Community Center – 2019 Windy Rd.
- Great Bridge Community Center – 212 Holt Dr.
- Indian River Community Center – 2250 Old Greenbrier Rd.
- River Crest Community Center – 1001 River Walk Parkway
- South Norfolk Community Center – 1217 Godwin Ave.
- Western Branch Community Center – 4437 Portsmouth Blvd.
Hampton
- Northampton Branch Library – 936 Big Bethel Rd.
- Phoebus Branch Library – 1 South Mallory St.
- Willow Oaks Branch Library – 227 Fox Hill Rd.
Newport News:
City libraries:
- Pearl Bailey Library – 2510 Wickham Ave.
- Main Street Library – 110 Main St.
- Virgil I. Grissom Library – 366 Deshazor Dr.
Community Centers:
- Denbigh Community Center – 15198 Warwick Blvd.
- Brittingham-Midtown Community Center – 570 McLawhorne Dr.
Norfolk:
- Barron F. Black Branch – 6700 E. Tanners Creek Dr.
- Blyden Branch – 879 E. Princess Anne Rd.
- Janaf Branch – 124 Janaf Shopping Center
- Jordan-Newby Branch – 1425 Norchester Ave., open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Friday
- Lafayette Branch – 1610 Cromwell Dr.
- Larchmont Branch – 6525 Hampton Blvd.
- Little Creek Branch – 7853 Tarpon Place
- Mary D. Pretlow Branch – 111 W. Ocean View Ave., open 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Friday; open Saturday and Sunday 12 – 8 p.m.
- Park Place Branch – 620 West 29th St.
- Richard A Tucker Branch – 2350 Berkley Ave., open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Friday
- Slover Branch – 235 East Plume St., open 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Friday, open Saturday and Sunday 12 – 8 p.m.
- Van Wyck Branch – 1368 DeBree Ave.
Portsmouth:
- Portsmouth Main Library (601 Court St.)
- Cradock Library (28 Prospect Parkway)
- Churchland Library (4934 High St. W.)
- Manor Library (1401 Elmhurst Ln.)
- Portsmouth Welcome Center (206 High St.)
- Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center (400 High St.)
- Behavioral Healthcare Building (1811 King St.)
- Social Services Building (1701 High St.)
- Senior Station (3500 Clifford St.)
- Portsmouth City Hall (801 Crawford Ave.)
Suffolk
North Suffolk Library – 2000 Bennetts Creek Park Rd.
Virginia Beach
- Bayside Area Library – 936 Independence Blvd.
- Great Neck Area Library – 1251 Bayne Dr.
- TCC / City of Virginia Beach Joint-Use Library – 1700 College Crescent, TCC Campus,
- Building Kempsville Area Library – 832 Kempsville Rd.
- Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library – 4100 Virginia Beach Blvd.
- Oceanfront Area Library – 700 Virginia Beach Blvd.
- Princess Anne Area Library – 1444 Nimmo Parkway
- Pungo-Blackwater Library – 916 Princess Anne Rd.
- Wahab Public Law Library – 2425 Nimmo Parkway
- Windsor Woods Area Library – 3612 South Plaza Trail
Williamsburg
- Quarterpath Rec Center – 202 Quarterpath Rd.
- Williamsburg Library – 515 Scotland St.
Staying at home? Dominion Energy suggests residents follow these six tips for conserving energy this summer and visit DominionEnergy.com/Savings for more information:
- Adjust your thermostat to 78 degrees or higher when the temperatures rise. Set it even higher while away from home. Each degree lower than the recommended setting can significantly increase your cooling-related costs. A smart thermostat can automatically increase the temperature to maximize savings.
- Use fans to help cool your home. Using a ceiling, box or oscillating fan while increasing the thermostat can lower air conditioning costs up to 14% over the course of the cooling season.
- Check air filters regularly and change them when dirty. Also, check ductwork for leaks and tears.
- Adjust drapes and blinds according to the time of day. This will keep out the sun’s natural warmth during the day.
- Caulk, seal and weather strip around all seams, cracks and openings – especially exterior doors and windows. Also, replace old weather stripping around doors.
- Run major appliances such as dishwashers, dryers and ovens during cooler evening hours. This will help prevent extra heat inside.
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