Beat the Heat at a City of Kirkland Cooling Center

Published on June 24, 2021

Cooling Centers Media Contact:                                                  
Joy Johnston
Interim Communications Program Manager
jjohnston@kirklandwa.gov
425-979-6562

 

UPDATED JUNE 29, 2021 WITH EXTENDED HOURS AND LOCATIONS

KIRKLAND, Wash. The City of Kirkland is activating cooling centers to help prevent heat-related illness.  Now extending through Tuesday, June 29, air-conditioned cooling centers will be available as a safe space for any community member who needs to get out of the heat.

Please help spread the word! Cooling centers will be set up with socially distanced seating, tables and water. For City Hall, please enter from the lower (south) entrance.

10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, June 26 at the Peter Kirk Community Center (352 Kirkland Ave)
10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, June 27 at the North Kirkland Community Center (12421 103rd Ave NE)
10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday, June 28 at the Peter Kirk Community Center (352 Kirkland Ave) and Kirkland City Hall (123 5th Ave)
10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, June 29 at Kirkland City Hall (123 5th Ave) and 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Peter Kirk Community Center (352 Kirkland Ave)

Guidelines for City Cooling Centers

  • Cooling center guests must complete a COVID-19 screening before entering City facilities.
  • Facial coverings will be required indoors.
  • Guests will be asked to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet between themselves and people outside of their household.
  • Leashed dogs and crated cats are permitted, however, pets must be under owner control at all times and any pet-related “accidents” must be cleaned up by the pet owner.

Community members are also encouraged to seek relief from the heat at local restaurants, stores, malls and movie theaters and in shady areas in parks. Additionally, the Kirkland Library is open limited hours on Saturday with limited capacity. More cooling center locations in King County are listed at https://kcemergency.com/2021/06/24/cooling-centers-in-king-county/

To cool off in the water, open swim is available at the Peter Kirk Pool at reduced capacity due to COVID-19 restrictions. Kirkland’s swimming beaches at Houghton Beach, Waverly Beach and Juanita Beach now have lifeguards on duty. Please use caution: Washington waters are often cold enough to cause muscles to not work or cause cold water shock, even on the hottest summer day. Water safety tips can be found at https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/violence-injury-prevention/water-safety/swim-safety.aspx

Remember to stay cool, stay hydrated and always be alert to the signs of heat exhaustion, which include heavy sweating, clammy skin, weak pulse, fainting and vomiting. For more information about how to stay safe in the hot weather, visit the Public Health – Seattle & King County webpage at: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/emergency-preparedness/preparing-yourself/hot-weather.aspx.

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