Cooling center

A cooling center is an air-conditioned public space set up by local authorities to temporarily deal with the health effects of extreme heat weather conditions, like the ones caused by heat waves.[1] Cooling centers are meant to prevent hyperthermia caused by heat, humidity, and poor air quality.[2] Cooling centers provide shade, water, and restrooms; medical attention and referrals to social services may also be offered. Their services are aimed at the homeless, at-risk populations such as the elderly, and those without adequate air conditioning.[2][3][4]

As the danger of heat waves has risen in the public consciousness, cooling centers are increasingly used in larger cities such as Los Angeles,[1] New York City,[5] Chicago,[3] Boston,[6] and Toronto,[7][8] as well as less urban population areas.[2][9] Cooling centers may also be used in places like Portland and Seattle where home air conditioning is rare but summer can bring temperatures exceeding 90 °F (32 °C) for several days.[10][11] Similarly, during the 2018 European heat wave and fires that reached northern Scandinavia, a supermarket in Finland was temporarily used as a cooling center.[12]

They are usually sited at multiple locations throughout a municipality, such as public libraries, community centers, senior centers, and police stations.[2][3][6] Another health measure sometimes taken during heat waves is to extend operational hours at public beaches and swimming pools.[6][13]