Tips for Beating the Heat and Staying Cool This Summer

Tips for Beating the Heat and Staying Cool This Summer

June 25, 2024

Residents needing temporary relief from the heat are encouraged to use any City of Dallas public facility including recreation centers and libraries, available during regular business hours. Extended Cooling Centers include DART locations.  

Operation hours vary by location; please view the hours here: Dallas Public Library and Dallas Recreation Center.

Assistance for unsheltered individuals can be found through the Office of Homeless Solutions.

Heat Safety and Energy Savings Tips:

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are very real dangers and are 100% preventable when taking precautions during the summer months, especially for the elderly, the very young, and those with chronic illnesses. If you know someone in your family or neighborhood that is vulnerable to heat-related illness, please check on them safely and often.  Protect yourself, family members, and others from the effects of high heat and humidity by taking the following precautions. 

  • Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic beverages. 
  • Whether working or playing outdoors, find shade and take lots of breaks.
  • Stay indoors, with air conditioning and  keep air conditioning at 78 or higher if possible to conserve energy. Keeping blinds closed and using fans will also help conserve energy.
  • Cook with a microwave or slow cooker rather than the stove/oven to reduce heat and electrical use. 
  • Conserve energy by using large appliances in off peak hours or not at all. 

To learn more about Summer Weather Preparedness, visit: Heat, Drought & Wildfire- KnoWhat2Do.

Beat the Heat – Collaboration with the City of Dallas and Reliant Energy

City of Dallas residents can visit one of our Beat the Heat cooling centers which will provide a safe and comfortable place to stay cool and reduce the need for home electricity use during the hottest days of summer. 

Cooling centers will open June 11, following an 11:30 a.m. press conference at the West Dallas Multipurpose Center.

Two locations are available:

-Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center (2922 MLK, Jr. Blvd.)

-West Dallas Multipurpose Center (2828 Fish Trap Rd.)

Free Portable AC Coolers or Window AC Units

City of Dallas residents can sign up to receive a free portable AC cooleror Window AC unit (while supplies last). Quantities are limited to only one unit per household.

To apply:

Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center

Call 214-670-8418 or visit www.dallasmlkcenter.com

West Dallas Multipurpose Center

Call 214-670-6340 or visit www.westdallasmultipurposecenter.com

Heat Advisory

Heat weather advisory is activated when the minimum nighttime temperature is forecasted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service to be 90 degrees Fahrenheit or higher at any point between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. (the next day).

While a heat advisory is in effect, partners within the local Continuum of Care are offering additional services so that our unsheltered neighbors may seek relief from the heat, as well as accepting in-kind donations. For all other donations please see the link provided here.

The Office of Homeless Solutions Outreach will be passing out cooling packages consisting of Gatorade and a cooling towel along with transportation to any City of Dallas public facility during business hours.

The Salvation Army Locations

The following Salvation Army Dallas locations have Cooling Stations open for those that need to seek refuge from the heat. Snacks and bottled water are available. Additionally, the locations will distribute bottled water and box fans (beginning mid-July) through their food pantries.

The Salvation Army Carr P. Collins Social Service Center

5302 Harry Hines Boulevard

open 7 days a week

The Salvation Army Pleasant Grove Corps Community Center

8341 Elam Road

open Monday thru Friday

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Salvation Army Oak Cliff Corps Community Center

1617 W. Jefferson Boulevard

open Monday thru Friday

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

More details can also be found here: https://salvationarmyntx.org/north-texas/heat-relief

Our Calling

Our Calling is open on Monday through Saturday and will remain open if the heat index reaches 105 degrees. The facility will be open until 5 p.m. or until the heat index drops below 105.

The heat index is determined using weather.gov for zip code 75215. The facility is closed on Sundays and holidays. There is a great need for bottled water.

For more information, please visit https://www.ourcalling.org.

Union Gospel Mission Dallas

Union Gospel Mission Dallas is extending check-in times to 7 p.m. daily at Calvert Place Men’s Shelter located at 3211 Irving Blvd. The shelter needs bottled water, Gatorade.

For more information about UGM, please visit https://ugmdallas.org/.

Austin Street Center

Austin Street Center will be providing access to their lobby for air conditioning, hydration and phone charging from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Any and all are welcome to use the lobby.

·In-kind Donations needed include Blankets, Towels, feminine products, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush and toothpaste.

A full list can be found at https://austinstreet.org/donate/.

All donations can be dropped off at 1717 Jeffries Street, Dallas TX 75229 daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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