HEAT WAVE RESOURCES:

Official Cooling Stations & Resources

ALLENTOWN: PPL Center, 701 Hamilton St.,: Open 10:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m

ALLENTOWN: Allentown Public Library, 1210 Hamilton St.,: Open 8:00 a.m – 8:00 p.m

ALLENTOWN: Lehigh Valley Active Life, 1633 Elm St.,: Open 8:30 a.m – 4:30 p.m

BANGOR: Slate Belt: 707 American Bangor Rd.,: Open 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

BETHLEHEM: Basilio Huertas: 520 E. 4th St.,: Open 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

BETHLEHEM: Old York Road: 720 Old York Rd.,: Open 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

BETHLEHEM: Rooney: 4 East 4th St.,: Open 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

CHERRYVILLE: 4131 Lehigh Drive,: Open 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

EASTON: Silver Connections: 901 Washington St.,: Open 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays

EASTON: Park Plaza: 1800 Sullivan Trail, Ste. 140,: Open 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

HELLERTOWN: Saucon Valley: 323 Northampton St.,: Open 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

JIM THORPE: 115 E 10th St,: Open 10:00a.m – 4:00 p.m

NAZARETH: 15 Wood St., Nazareth: Open 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Because cooling station availability can change rapidly based on county declarations, the most accurate resources to share on your website are the official statewide emergency networks:

Pennsylvania 211 Emergency Search: The absolute best resource for residents is to check Pennsylvania 211. Your page can direct users to search specifically for “Extreme Heat Cooling Programs” by their city or zip code to find up-to-the-minute active centers.
Local Public Libraries & Senior Centers: Across the region, local public libraries (such as the Allentown Public Library on Hamilton Street) and county senior centers serve as designated community cooling sites during standard business hours.
State Parks & Public Spaces: For the Poconos and surrounding counties, air-conditioned public buildings, municipal township halls, and designated state park visitor centers frequently serve as temporary relief zones.

Critical Extreme Heat Precautions to Share:

You can copy and paste these direct safety tips to help your audience “Beat the Heat”:

1. Stay Hydrated

Drink plenty of fluids: Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink water.
Avoid certain beverages: Limit drinks containing high amounts of caffeine, sugar, or alcohol, as these can actually cause you to lose more body fluid.

2. Stay Indoors and Cool

Seek air conditioning: Spend as much time as possible in air-conditioned spaces. If your home does not have air conditioning, plan to visit a local library, shopping mall, or official cooling station.
Relying on fans: While fans can provide comfort, when temperatures reach the high 90s and above, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath is a much more effective way to cool down.
Dress lightly: Wear lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing.

3. Practice Outdoor & Car Safety

Limit strenuous activity: Avoid heavy outdoor workouts or manual labor during peak heat hours (typically 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM).
Never leave anyone in a car: Never leave children, vulnerable adults, or pets in a parked vehicle—even for a minute. Interior car temperatures can skyrocket to lethal levels almost instantly.

4. Check on Vulnerable Neighbors

Look out for others: High heat is disproportionately dangerous for infants, older adults, and individuals with chronic medical conditions. Make it a point to check on neighbors, friends, and family members who live alone or lack reliable air conditioning.

5. Know the Signs of Heat Illness

Encourage your website visitors to recognize the difference between Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke:

Heat Exhaustion: Look for heavy sweating, weakness, cold/pale/clammy skin, a fast but weak pulse, nausea, or fainting. Action: Move to a cool place, loosen clothing, and sip water.
Heat Stroke (A Medical Emergency): Look for a high body temperature (above 103°F), hot/red/dry or damp skin, a rapid and strong pulse, confusion, dizziness, or unconsciousness. Action: Call 911 immediately and try to cool the person down; do not give them fluids to drink.