SAN ANTONIO — With the heat index expected to reach 100 degrees this weekend, the City of San Antonio is opening cooling centers.
The city says adults 65 and older; children 4 and younger; and people with existing medical conditions are at higher risk on days with high temperatures. They are also suggesting people drink plenty of water and protect themselves from sun exposure. They are also encouraging everyone to check on neighbors and loved ones who may not have access to air conditioning.
One thing for elderly residents to keep in mind: Senior centers will be closed, so they'll have to use libraries as cooling centers to beat this heat. The county is also offering two cooling centers and also partnering with Meals on Wheels.
"Meals on Wheels will conduct in-home safety checks with senior residents in the unincorporated areas of Bexar County and the 26 suburban cities," said Tom Peine, a county spokesperson.
Nine additional cooling centers will be opened for seniors on Monday.
Additionally, the county remains under a burn ban. Outdoor burning is not recommended at all with the dry winds this weekend, and all residents are urged to remain diligent and avoid activities that could spark a fire.
Metro Health is reminding everyone to keep these heat safety tips at the top of mind:
- Drink plenty of water.
- Check on your neighbors, especially if you know they don't have A/C.
- Wear light-layered, light-colored clothing.
- Use sunscreen and apply frequently, and recognize the signs of a heat stroke.
George Perez, the Operations Manager for Public Health Emergency Preparedness with Metro Health said, "Profuse sweating for someone... looking flush in the face or even pale at times, depending on the age of the individual," said George Perez, operations manager for public health emergency preparedness with Metro Health. "Because usually, if you're a senior (or) older person, (you) may not sweat as much as someone who is younger."
"We do have these our infrared heat guns where we can just point at the animal pointing at the ground, get accurate readings as to that the weather that your dogs are are seeing," added Bethany Snowden, field operations manager with Animal Care Services.
Animal Care Services will have a zero-tolerance police this weekend and reminds owners to make sure fresh water and shelter is always available for their pets. A shaded parking spot or cracked window does little to protect animals from heat. Mind pets around water; most are not natural swimmers. Chain tethers are not allowed.
When it comes to saving energy, CPS Energy officials advise setting thermostats two to three degrees higher during the heat of the day. Plus:
- Use fans to cool as much as possible.
- Turn off and unplug non-essential lights and appliances.
- Avoid using large appliances during peak demand hours. Ceiling fans help you cool off your body too.
"The reason why is because your skin is actually emitting perspiration on its own, and the air from the ceiling fan hitting your skin actually makes you feel cooler," said Christine Patmon, of CPS Energy.
If you don't have transportation and want to get to one of the cooling centers, VIA is offering fare-free trips to and from cooling centers as long as they stay open.
The cooling centers are available to the public during normal business hours; see the full list below. For tips on pets and heat, click here. For tips on conserving electricity during high heat times, click here. For resources to help you beat the heat across San Antonio, click here.
Central Library
600 Soledad
San Antonio 78205
PHONE: 210.207.2500
M: 12 - 8pm
T: 12 - 8pm
W: 10am -6pm
TR: 10am -6pm
FR: 10am -6pm
SA: 10am -6pm
SU: CLOSED
Carver Branch Library
3350 E Commerce St
San Antonio 78220
PHONE: 210.207.9180
M: 12 - 8pm
T: 12 - 8pm
W: 10am -6pm
TR: 10am -6pm
FR: 10am -6pm
SA: 10am -6pm
SU: 10am -6pm
Cody Branch Library
11441 Vance Jackson Rd
San Antonio 78230
PHONE: 210.207.9100
M: 12 - 8pm
T: 12 - 8pm
W: 10am -6pm
TR: 10am -6pm
FR: 10am -6pm
SA: 10am -6pm
SU: 10am -6pm
Collins Garden Branch Library
200 N Park Blvd
San Antonio 78204
PHONE: 210.225.0331
M: 12 - 8pm
T: 12 - 8pm
W: 10am -6pm
TR: 10am -6pm
FR: 10am -6pm
SA: 10am -6pm
SU: 10am -6pm
Encino Branch Library
2515 E Evans Rd
San Antonio 78259
PHONE: 210.207.9250
M: 12 - 8pm
T: 12 - 8pm
W: 10am -6pm
TR: 10am -6pm
FR: 10am -6pm
SA: 10am -6pm
SU: 10am -6pm
Great Northwest Branch Library
9050 Wellwood St
San Antonio 78250
PHONE: 210.207.9210
M: 12 - 8pm
T: 12 - 8pm
W: 10am -6pm
TR: 10am -6pm
FR: 10am -6pm
SA: 10am -6pm
SU: 10am -6pm
Igo Branch Library
13330 Kyle Seale Pkwy
San Antonio 78249
PHONE: 210.207.9080
M: 12 - 8pm
T: 12 - 8pm
W: 10am -6pm
TR: 10am -6pm
FR: 10am -6pm
SA: 10am -6pm
SU: 10am -6pm
Landa Branch Library
233 Bushnell Ave
San Antonio 78212
PHONE: 210.207.9090
M: 12 - 8pm
T: 12 - 8pm
W: 10am -6pm
TR: 10am -6pm
FR: 10am -6pm
SA: 10am -6pm
SU: 10am -6pm
Maverick Branch Library
8700 Mystic Park
San Antonio 78254
PHONE: 210.207.9060
M: 12 - 8pm
T: 12 - 8pm
W: 10am -6pm
TR: 10am -6pm
FR: 10am -6pm
SA: 10am -6pm
SU: 10am -6pm
McCreless Branch Library
1023 Ada
San Antonio 78223
PHONE: 210.207.9170
M: 12 - 8pm
T: 12 - 8pm
W: 10am -6pm
TR: 10am -6pm
FR: 10am -6pm
SA: 10am -6pm
SU: 10am -6pm
Mission Branch Library
3134 Roosevelt Ave
San Antonio 78214
PHONE: 210.207.2704
M: 12 - 8pm
T: 12 - 8pm
W: 10am -6pm
TR: 10am -6pm
FR: 10am -6pm
SA: 10am -6pm
SU: 10am -6pm
Parman Branch Library at Stone Oak
20735 Wilderness Oak
San Antonio 78258
PHONE: 210.207.2703
M: 12 - 8pm
T: 12 - 8pm
W: 10am -6pm
TR: 10am -6pm
FR: 10am -6pm
SA: 10am -6pm
SU: 10am -6pm
San Pedro Branch Library
1315 San Pedro Ave
San Antonio 78212
PHONE: 210.207.9050
M: 12 - 8pm
T: 12 - 8pm
W: 10am -6pm
TR: 10am -6pm
FR: 10am -6pm
SA: 10am -6pm
SU: 10am -6pm
Schaefer Branch Library
6322 US Hwy 87 E
San Antonio 78222
PHONE: 210.207.9300
M: 12 - 8pm
T: 12 - 8pm
W: 10am -6pm
TR: 10am -6pm
FR: 10am -6pm
SA: 10am -6pm
SU: 10am -6pm
Semmes Branch Library
15060 Judson Rd
San Antonio 78247
PHONE: 210.207.9110
M: 12 - 8pm
T: 12 - 8pm
W: 10am -6pm
TR: 10am -6pm
FR: 10am -6pm
SA: 10am -6pm
SU: 10am -6pm
Thousand Oaks Branch Library
4618 Thousand Oaks Dr
San Antonio 78233
PHONE: 210.207.9190
M: 12 - 8pm
T: 12 - 8pm
W: 10am -6pm
TR: 10am -6pm
FR: 10am -6pm
SA: 10am -6pm
SU: 10am -6pm
Alicia Trevino Lopez Senior Center
8353 Culebra Rd
San Antonio 78251
PHONE: 210.558.0178
M: 7am-4pm
T: 7am-4pm
W: 7am-4pm
TR: 7am-4pm
FR: 7am-4pm
SA: Closed
SU: Closed
Claude Black Community Center (District 2)
2805 E Commerce St
San Antonio 78202
PHONE: 210.207.5233
M: 7am-4pm
T: 7am-4pm
W: 7am-4pm
TR: 7am-4pm
FR: 7am-4pm
SA: Closed
SU: Closed
District 2 Senior Center
1751 S WW White Rd
San Antonio 78220
PHONE: 210.207.5390
M: 7am-4pm
T: 7am-4pm
W: 7am-4pm
TR: 7am-4pm
FR: 7am-4pm
SA: Closed
SU: Closed
District 5 Senior Center
2701 S Presa St
San Antonio 78210
PHONE: 210.207.5270
M: 7am-4pm
T: 7am-4pm
W: 7am-4pm
TR: 7am-4pm
FR: 7am-4pm
SA: Closed
SU: Closed
Frank Garrett Multi-Service Center
1226 NW 18th St
San Antonio 78207
PHONE: 210.207.1700
M: 7am-4pm
T: 7am-4pm
W: 7am-4pm
TR: 7am-4pm
FR: 7am-4pm
SA: Closed
SU: Closed
Northeast Senior Center
4135 Thousand Oaks
San Antonio 78233
PHONE: 210.207.4590
M: 7am-4pm
T: 7am-4pm
W: 7am-4pm
TR: 7am-4pm
FR: 7am-4pm
SA: Closed
SU: Closed
West End Park Comprehensive Senior Center
1226 NW 18th St
San Antonio 78207
PHONE: 210.207.1720
M: 7am-4pm
T: 7am-4pm
W: 7am-4pm
TR: 7am-4pm
FR: 7am-4pm
SA: Closed
SU: Closed
Bob Ross Senior Center
2219 Babcock Rd
San Antonio 78229
PHONE: 210.207.5300
M: 7am-4pm
T: 7am-4pm
W: 7am-4pm
TR: 7am-4pm
FR: 7am-4pm
SA: Closed
SU: Closed
Southside Lions Senior Center
3303 Pecan Valley Dr
San Antonio 78210
PHONE: 210.207.1760
M: 7am-4pm
T: 7am-4pm
W: 7am-4pm
TR: 7am-4pm
FR: 7am-4pm
SA: Closed
SU: Closed
Bazan Branch Library
2200 W Commerce St
San Antonio 78207
PHONE: 210.207.9160
M: 12 - 8pm
T: 12 - 8pm
W: 10am -6pm
TR: 10am -6pm
FR: 10am -6pm
SA: 10am -6pm
SU: 10am -6pm
Brook Hollow Branch Library
530 Heimer
San Antonio 78232
PHONE: 210.207.9030
M: 12 - 8pm
T: 12 - 8pm
W: 10am -6pm
TR: 10am -6pm
FR: 10am -6pm
SA: 10am -6pm
SU: 10am -6pm
Cortez Branch Library
2803 Hunter Blvd
San Antonio 78224
PHONE: 210.207.9130
M: 12 - 8pm
T: 12 - 8pm
W: 10am -6pm
TR: 10am -6pm
FR: 10am -6pm
SA: 10am -6pm
SU: 10am -6pm
Guerra Branch Library
7978 Military Dr W
San Antonio 78227
PHONE: 210.207.9070
M: 12 - 8pm
T: 12 - 8pm
W: 10am -6pm
TR: 10am -6pm
FR: 10am -6pm
SA: 10am -6pm
SU: 10am -6pm
Igo Branch Library
13330 Kyle Seale Pkwy
San Antonio 78249
PHONE: 210.207.9080
M: 12 - 8pm
T: 12 - 8pm
W: 10am -6pm
TR: 10am -6pm
FR: 10am -6pm
SA: 10am -6pm
SU: 10am -6pm
Johnston Branch Library
6307 Sun Valley
San Antonio 78227
PHONE: 210.207.9240
M: 12 - 8pm
T: 12 - 8pm
W: 10am -6pm
TR: 10am -6pm
FR: 10am -6pm
SA: 10am -6pm
SU: 10am -6pm
Landa Branch Library
233 Bushnell Ave
San Antonio 78212
PHONE: 210.207.9090
M: 12 - 8pm
T: 12 - 8pm
W: 10am -6pm
TR: 10am -6pm
FR: 10am -6pm
SA: 10am -6pm
SU: 10am -6pm
Las Palmas Branch Library
515 Castroville Rd.
San Antonio 78237
PHONE: 210.207.9200
M: 12 - 8pm
T: 12 - 8pm
W: 10am -6pm
TR: 10am -6pm
FR: 10am -6pm
SA: 10am -6pm
SU: 10am -6pm
Pan American Branch Library
1122 Pyron Av. W
San Antonio 78221
PHONE: 210.207.9150
M: 12 - 8pm
T: 12 - 8pm
W: 10am -6pm
TR: 10am -6pm
FR: 10am -6pm
SA: 10am -6pm
SU: 10am -6pm
Potranco Branch Library
8765 State Hwy 151
San Antonio 78245
PHONE: 210.207.9280
M: 12 - 8pm
T: 12 - 8pm
W: 10am -6pm
TR: 10am -6pm
FR: 10am -6pm
SA: 10am -6pm
Garza Community Center
5627 Mira Vista
San Antonio 78228
PHONE: 210.207.3239
SA: 9am-5pm
Ward Community Center
435 E Sunshine
San Antonio 78228
PHONE: 210.732.2481
SA: 9am-5pm