Woonsocket Offers Library, Senior Center as Cooling Centers This Week

With the National Weather Service's heat advisory in effect for the city and surrounding areas, Woonsocket Emergency Management officially opened the Senior Center and the Harris Public Library as city cooling centers.

The Woonsocket Senior Center at 84 Social Street is open Tuesday-Friday, July 16-19 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. and the Harris Public Library will be open Tuesday and Friday July 16 and 19 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, July 17 and July 18 from 9 a.m.- 9 p.m.  

Tuesday afternoon, there were few people taking advantage of the Senior Center, though air conditioning made a marked difference inside the doors. A regular Tuesday Zumba Class was in session though.

At the library, Director Leslie Page said they always have a jump in patronage during summer months, so it's tough to know how many people are showing up to get out of the heat. Either way, though, she said, they're welcome.

The facilities only offer shelter from the heat and humidity, as well as public water fountains and lavatories; they do not offer any other amenities such as food or entertainment, according to Woonsocket Fire Chief Gary Lataille, also Woonsocket's Emergency Management Director.

The heat index, a combination of the temperature and the humidity level, is expected to reach and/or surpass 100 degrees this week, according to a release from Lataille's office. It is advisable that young children, the elderly and those people that have respiratory impairments stay indoors and avoid prolonged activity.  

Lataille also asked residents to check on their neighbors, and reminded residents: 

• All outside work should be limited during the extreme heat of the day,
• Drink fluids to avoid dehydration.  
• Pets should be kept cool and have a constant supply of water.