With high temperatures expected across southern Maine on Friday, the City of Portland is opening a cooling center to help residents escape the heat.
City officials announced that the downtown Portland Public Library, located at 5 Monument Square, will serve as the city’s designated cooling center on Friday, August 7, following a heat advisory issued by the National Weather Service.
The library will be open during its normal operating hours, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., providing an air-conditioned space for residents who need relief from the expected heat.
In addition to the cooling center, the city is encouraging residents to take advantage of other places to stay cool, including the Deering Oaks Ravine and Portland’s public splash pads.
Officials are also reminding residents to take common-sense precautions during the heat, including:
- Limiting strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day.
- Drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Wearing lightweight, light-colored clothing.
- Checking on elderly neighbors, relatives, and others who may be vulnerable to heat-related illness.
- Never leaving children or pets unattended inside parked vehicles, where temperatures can become dangerous within minutes.
Heat-related illnesses can develop quickly during prolonged periods of high temperatures, particularly for older adults, young children, and individuals with underlying health conditions.
Residents looking for additional information on staying safe during extreme heat can find guidance from the National Weather Service’s heat safety resources. https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat
