Town Of Brookline Declares Heat Emergency, Opens Cooling Centers In Town

The Brookline Department of Public Health and Human Services has declared a Heat Emergency effective Tuesday, June 18 through to Thursday, June 20, 2024, and announces that cooling centers will open around town.

Temperatures are currently forecast to be 95°+ Tuesday and last through to Thursday. Oppressive heat is expected on both Tuesday through to Thursday with high temperatures of 95-100 degrees, heat indexes of 97-104 degrees, and overnight lows of 69-73 degrees. High temperatures, along with high humidity levels, result in high heat indexes, which can be dangerous.

From Tuesday, June 18 through to Thursday, June 20, 2024, a heat emergency is in effect with heat index values between 95-105 degrees possible.

Brookline’s cooling centers include:

• Brookline Public Safety Building Community Room
  350 Washington St.
  24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Brookline Senior Center – Closed Wednesday, 6/19 for Juneteenth
  93 Winchester St.
  Tuesday & Thursday
  8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• The Public Libraries of Brookline – Closed on Wednesday, 6/19 for Juneteenth
  • Main Branch
    361 Washington St.
    Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
  • Coolidge Corner Branch
    31 Pleasant St.
    Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
  • Putterham Branch
    959 West Roxbury Parkway
    Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

JUNETEENTH, 6/19 ONLY

• Florida Ruffin Ridley School, Enter at Stedman St. Doors
  345 Harvard St.
  11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Additionally, the Brookline Housing Authority will have air-conditioned community rooms available for residents of 61 Park St., 90 Longwood Ave., 50 Pleasant St., and 190 Harvard St.

Water play areas in parks and playgrounds throughout Brookline are available from dawn to dusk, Memorial Day to early October.

The Evelyn Kirrane Aquatics Center, located at 60 Tappan St., is also open. Brookline residents may use the pool free of charge for open swimming only during designated hours while a heat emergency is in effect. Residents can call 617-713-5435 for hours and additional details.

The Town of Brookline recommends that, on days where temperatures exceed 90 degrees, residents turn on their air conditioners. If you are concerned that you can’t afford to run your air conditioner, Eversource offers discounts to qualifying customers, and information on those discounts can be found by visiting here.

In addition, the Brookline Department of Public Health is advising the public of the following:

Tips for Preventing Heat-Related Illnesses:

• NEVER leave children, adults, or pets alone in a closed, parked vehicle.
• KEEP COOL – Spend as much time as you can in cooler surroundings. Use air conditioners to cool the air.
• Slow down and avoid strenuous activity. If you are not accustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment, start slowly and pick up the pace gradually. If exertion in the heat makes your heart pound and leaves you gasping for breath, STOP all activity. Get into a cool or shady area, and rest, especially if you become lightheaded, confused, weak or faint.
• Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going out.
• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing that will cover as much skin as possible.
• Plan outdoor games and activities for early morning or evening. Rest often in shady areas to allow your body to recover.
• Avoid extreme temperature changes.
• When the temperature is in the 90’s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath is a better way to cool off.
• Drink plenty of fluids, even if you do not feel thirsty, and avoid alcoholic beverages, drinks with caffeine, and large amounts of sugar—these actually cause you to lose more body fluid.
• Use your stove less and try to cook your meals in the cooler part of the day.
• Keep pets hydrated.
• Although anyone can suffer from heat-related illness at any time, some people are at greater risk than others.
  • Check regularly on infants and young children, people aged 65 or older, people who have a mental illness, those who are physically ill or who have heart disease or high blood pressure
  • Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children, of course, need much more frequent watching.

Learn the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses and how to treat them.