City of Tacoma Urges Residents to Prepare for Heat Over the Next Several Days
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June 24, 2022

MEDIA CONTACTS

Tanisha Jumper, Media and Communications, tjumper@ci.tacoma.wa.us, (253) 591-5152
Megan Snow, Media and Communications, msnow@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5051

City of Tacoma Urges Residents to Prepare for Heat Over the Next Several Days

Weather forecasts are predicting temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit over the weekend. The City of Tacoma is encouraging residents to prepare for the heat.

The City is working with Korean Women's Association (KWA) to operate a cooling and air quality relief center when temperatures are above 90 degree Fahrenheit at Lighthouse Activity Center (5106 A Street). The center will be open on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. when temperature forecast is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit or Puget Sound Clean Air Agency declares air quality as unhealthy for sensitive groups throughout the summer. The center can accommodate 50 people at a time and is open to walk-ins on a first come, first served basis.

The City is also working with Brotherhood RISE to activate their site for cooling as needed during heat events.

Excessive heat can be dangerous to all people, and older adults, people with health concerns and children are at a greater risk.

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"There are things everyone can do now to be ready for excessive heat," said Tacoma Fire PIO Joe Meinecke. "Think about wearing light colored clothing and lighter layers, start hydrating now, have electrolytes on hand and know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke."

Symptoms to watch for from the CDC include:
  • Cold, pale and clammy skin
  • Heavy sweating
  • Fainting or passing out
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Fast, weak pulse
  • Tiredness or weakness
  • Muscle cramps
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Headache

If a person has these symptoms, they should cease activity, move to a cooler location and seek medical attention. Elders and children are the most susceptible, so checking on elderly neighbors and keeping children out of the sun is important.

Don't leave children, dependent adults or pets in parked vehicles. Temperatures can quickly climb to a level that can result in death. If you see a person or pet left in a parked vehicle during hot weather call 911 and stay with the vehicle until it is resolved.

The City is continuing to conduct outreach to unhoused neighbors to connect them with shelter and resources and is providing bottled water to people living unsheltered during weekdays.

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Things to do to keep cool:
  • Metro Parks Tacoma's 10 spraygrounds are open daily from 10 am-8 pm. For the most up-to-date information on all Metro Parks Tacoma's services, visit them at metroparkstacoma.org/staycool253
  • Stay in the shade.
  • Drink water (people and pets)
  • Plan trips to places with air conditioning, including libraries, grocery shopping, etc.
  • Keep your house cool – shut windows and blinds during the day, and open windows and use fans to cool the house once the temperature outside declines.
  • If you plan to go to the water to cool off, please remember that even when it is hot outside, people can die of hypothermia in the water if core body temperature drops below 93 degrees Fahrenheit.

Tacoma Public Library's eight neighborhood locations are all open to the public Tuesday through Saturday.

Tacoma Public Library current hours for all locations are:

Tuesday and Wednesday hoursThursday, Friday and Saturday hours
Open 12-8 p.m.Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Additionally, the City is partnering with the Homeless Service Coalition to distribute bottled water to people who are unsheltered during excessive heat.

For more information about the City's inclement weather resources, visit cityoftacoma.org/inclementresources.

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