Where are Tri-Cities cooling centers open? Beat the heat at 20-plus public spots

Temperatures in Tri-Cities are expected to hit the triple digits, and the weather will likely remain hot for a while.

Every year, extreme temperatures spell disaster as people overheat and fall victim to heat-related illnesses.

To help Tri-Citians stay cool, temporary cooling centers open every summer.

Here’s where to go:

When can I use cooling centers in Tri-Cities?

All temporary cooling centers are open to the public during their standard business hours.

If you need help finding a cooling center open in your area, call 211.

During bus service hours, each cooling center has at least one Ben Franklin Transit route that can transport riders there.

Where are cooling centers in Tri-Cities?

These locations will operate as cooling centers throughout summer through the Benton Franklin Health District:

Richland and West Richland

• Richland Public Library, 955 Northgate Drive
• Richland Community Center, 500 Amon Park Drive
• Mid-Columbia Libraries West Richland, 3803 West Van Giesen St.

Kennewick

• Mid-Columbia Libraries Kennewick, 405 South Dayton St. and 1620 South Union St.
• Columbia Center Mall, 1321 North Columbia Center Blvd.

Pasco

• Tri-City Union Gospel Mission Men’s Shelter, 221 South Fourth Ave.
• Tri-City Union Gospel Mission Women’s Shelter, 110 North Second Ave.
• Mid-Columbia Libraries Pasco, 1320 West Hopkins Street and 7525 Wrigley Drive
• First Avenue Center, 505 North First Ave.

Where else can I cool off in the area?

Additional cooling centers in the greater area include:

• Mid-Columbia Libraries Benton City, 810 Horne Drive, Benton City
• Becky’s Coffee Corner, 1120 Meade Ave., Prosser
• Renz Farmers Insurance Agency, 1108 Meade Ave., Prosser
• Mid-Columbia Libraries Prosser, 902 Seventh St., Prosser
• Mid-Columbia Libraries Kahlotus, 225 East Weston St., Kahlotus
• Mid-Columbia Libraries Connell, 118 North Columbia Ave., Connell
• Mid-Columbia Libraries, Basin City, 50 North Canal Blvd., Basin City

Where are swimming pools and splash pads in Tri-Cities?

Washington 211 lists a few additional locations for cooling off.

Here’s where:

• Howard Amon Wading Pool, 500 Amon Park Drive, Richland
• Richland City Hall, 625 Swift Blvd., Richland
• George Prout Aquatic Complex, 1005 Swift Blvd., Richland
• Badger Mountain Splash Pad, 350 Keene Road, Richland
• Martin Luther King Center, 205 South Wehe Ave., Pasco

Tri-Cities also has numerous other public pools and splash pads that can help folks stay cool.

How to prevent heat stroke, exhaustion

No matter where you are this summer, it’s important to stay cognizant of your body temperature and take steps to prevent heat exhaustion or stroke.

According to the Mayo Clinic, signs of heat exhaustion include:

• Cool, moist skin with goosebumps
• Heavy sweating
• Faintness
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Rapid pulse
• Headache
• Nausea

Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, which can be life-threatening.

When your body temperature reaches 104 degrees or higher, you are experiencing heat stroke, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Symptoms include:

• Change in mental state such as confusion or agitation
• Flushed skin
• Altered speech
• Nausea or vomiting
• Rapid breathing and racing heartbeat
• Headache

The Mayo Clinic recommends these steps to preventing heat exhaustion and stroke:

• Wear light, loose-fitting clothing
• Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and reapply every two hours at minimum
• Drink fluids
• Never leave anyone in a parked car
• Schedule strenuous activity outside of the hottest part of the day
• Get acclimated to the heat over time

When taking medication, speak with your health care professionals about its impacts to your body’s hydration and temperature regulation systems.