Tips for beating the high temperatures during a heat wave in Central Florida
We’re having a heat wave — in case you haven’t noticed the shimmering waves of discomfort radiating off the sidewalks and asphalt, even during your late afternoon walk.
Things are not expected to calm down at least until the extended July 4thy The weekend continues into Tuesday, according to a forecast from the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
Temperatures are expected to be in the low to mid 90s across east-central Florida, with inland areas reaching the upper 90s. Heat index readings will peak at 100-105 through Saturday before approaching 105-110(!) Sunday through Wednesday.
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In response, Volusia County officials are urging residents to find ways to beat the heat and be aware of the symptoms of heat-related illness. This is especially important for children, the elderly, and those with disabilities or chronic diseases, all of whom are particularly vulnerable to heat. Keep an eye on pets, too.
Volusia County Library branches are designated cooling stations
The county’s 14 public library branches have been designated as cooling stations during the period of extreme heat.
Here is the list (note that the library branches will close at five in the evening on July 3 and will remain closed on July 4y):
- Daytona Beach Regional Library 105 Jackie Robinson Parkway, Daytona Beach. Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; 9am to 7pm Monday to Thursday; 9am to 5pm Friday and Saturday.
- Debary Public Library, 200 N. Charles R. Bell Boulevard, Debary. Working hours: 9am to 6pm Monday and Wednesday; 9am to 7pm Tuesday and Thursday; 9am to 5pm Friday and Saturday.
- DeLand Regional Library, 130E. Horry Street, DeLand. Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; 9am to 7pm Monday to Thursday; 9am to 5pm Friday and Saturday.
- Deltona Regional Library 2150 Eustace Street, Deltona. Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; 9am to 7pm Monday to Thursday; 9am to 5pm Friday and Saturday.
- edgewater Public Library, 103 W. Indian River Blvd, Edgewater. Working hours: 9am to 6pm Monday and Wednesday; 9am to 7pm Tuesday and Thursday; 9am to 5pm Friday and Saturday.
- Hope Place Public Library, 1310 Wright Street, Daytona Beach. Business hours: 10am to 6pm Monday to Thursday; 10am to 5pm Friday and Saturday.
- John H Dickerson Heritage Library, 4111 S Street Ketch, Daytona Beach. Business hours: 10am to 6pm Monday to Thursday; 10am to 5pm on Friday.
- Lake Helen Public Library, 221 n. Euclid Street, Lake Helen. Working hours: 9am to 1pm and 2 to 5pm Monday to Friday.
- New Smyrna Beach Regional Library 1001 S. Dixie Highway, New Smyrna Beach. Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; 9am to 7pm Monday to Thursday; 9am to 5pm Friday and Saturday.
- Oak Hill Public Library, 125 E. Halifax Street, Oak Hill. Working hours: 9am to 1pm and 2 to 5pm Monday to Friday.
- Orange City Public Library, 148 Albertus Road, Orange City. Working hours: 9am to 1pm and 2 to 5pm Monday to Friday.
- Ormond Beach Regional Library 30 s. Beach Street, Ormond Beach. Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; 9am to 7pm Monday to Thursday; 9am to 5pm Friday and Saturday.
- pearson public library, 115 n. Volusia Street, Pearson. Working hours: 9am to 1pm and 2 to 5pm Monday to Friday.
- port orange regional library, 1005 City Center Circle, Port Orange. Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; 9am to 7pm Monday to Thursday; 9am to 5pm Friday and Saturday.
Other good places to stay cool
If the idea of a library doesn’t suit you, there are plenty of other options for finding a great place.
Here are some suggestions:
- Visit the mall. Strolling around in air-conditioned comfort or visiting the dining hall has never looked so good.
- Visit the museum. The Museum of Arts and Sciences of Daytona Beach is truly a gem in Daytona Beach. Cool and educational temperatures.
- Grab a six pack. The beer cooler at Wawa or any other convenience store in Volusia or Flagler counties doubles as an opportunity for super-fast cooling. Make sure to get some water with the foam to stay hydrated.
- Take in the movie. Some big summer blockbusters are starting to hit theaters, but a comfortable seat in an air-conditioned theater can make even an average movie a worthwhile investment.
- Visit a tourist attraction. There are climate-controlled indoor activities at many area attractions such as Marineland, the oceanfront area at the northern tip of Flagler County. Also in Flagler, the Palm Coast Community Center also offers an array of activities under comfortable weather conditions.
Know the signs of heat-related illness
Volusia County offers these tips to determine if you have heat-related illness:
Heat exhaustion. It begins with heavy sweating, cold and clammy skin, nausea or vomiting, muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, headache, and possible fainting.
If you feel these symptoms, go to a cool place, loosen your clothes, and place cool, wet clothes on your body or take a cool shower and drink water. Seek medical attention right away if you vomit, symptoms get worse, or symptoms last longer than 1 hour.
sunstroke. This is a medical emergency. It is characterized by a body temperature of 103 degrees or higher, hot and red skin, rapid pulse, headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and possible loss of consciousness.
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Call 911 immediately, move the person to a cooler location, and lower the person’s temperature with a cool washcloth or a cool bath. Do not give the person anything to drink.
Tips to stay cool
The Florida Department of Health in Volusia County offers these tips for beating the heat:
- Wear lightweight, light-colored, and loose clothing.
- Stay indoors with air conditioning, especially during the hottest times of the day.
- Schedule outdoor activities for the early morning or later evening hours to avoid going out during the hottest part of the day.
- Wear sunscreen.
- Stay hydrated.
- drink a lot of water.
- Replace salts and minerals by drinking sports drinks after excessive sweating.
- Stay away from sugary or alcoholic drinks.
- Never leave children, the elderly, or pets alone in the car.
Don’t forget to take care of your pets
Volusia County Animal Services recommends that pet owners follow these safety tips.
- Have plenty of clean, cold drinking water on hand at all times.
- Keep your pet indoors during the hottest times of the day.
- Never leave your pet in a parked car, even for one minute.
- Protect your pet from the sun. If your pet must be kept in the yard (rather than in the cold indoors, which is recommended), make sure there is shade and adequate ventilation.
- To help your pet stay cool, trim their coats short but do not shave. Sunburn poses a danger to animals, especially light-colored animals.
- Dog pads burn easily, so avoid hot surfaces like asphalt on hot days. Exercise your pet in the morning or evening when it is cool.
- The main symptoms of overheating in pets are excessive panting, stupor, and collapse. Other symptoms include difficulty breathing, increased heart and breathing rate, drooling, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and seizures.
- If your pet becomes overcome with heat, place a cool, wet washcloth on the animal. When the towel becomes warm, replace it with another cold towel. Never immerse your pet in ice cold water as it may cause shock.
