New Jersey is currently under an extreme heat warning this week from the National Weather Service, with several towns meeting or exceeding 100 degrees. Beyond discomfort, skyrocketing temperatures can pose a serious health hazard. To help keep the community safe, local counties have established designated communal cooling centers in Essex County and beyond. Read on for more about cooling resources in Essex County and beyond.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has shared a Heat Hub website which serves as a central hub for information about weather and state-provided resources to beat the heat. Many of these cooling centers will be located in senior centers, libraries, and other community facilities. Everyone is encouraged to check up on friends, family, and neighbors who may be at high risk of heat exposure and other heat-induced illnesses. 

Cooling Centers in Essex County

These are the designated cooling centers that local governments will open should the need arise. Please confirm the operating hours before heading over.

Newark

• Bethany Baptist Church Senior Center: 275 West Market Street, 973-733-5739
• Boylan Recreation Center: 916 South Orange Avenue, 973-733-8947
• Ironbound Recreational Facility: 226 Rome Street, 973-424-4101
• Nellie Grier Senior Center: 98-104 Maple Avenue, 973-424-4096
• Rotunda Recreational Center: 75 Clifton Avenue, 973-733-3677
• St. Peter’s Recreation Center: 378 Lyons Avenue
• John F. Kennedy Recreation Center: 211 West Kinney Street, 973-733-6550
• Kenneth Gibson/Sharpe James Aquatic Recreation Center: 226 Rome Street
• Vince Lombardi Center: 201 Bloomfield Avenue, 973-482-5439

Read More: Fertility Resources in Essex County, New Jersey

Cooling Centers in Bergen County

Bergenfield

• Bergenfield Senior Activity Center: 239 Murray Hill Terrace, 201-387-7212

East Rutherford

• Southwest Senior Activity Center:147 Hackensack Street, 201-935-8920

Hackensack

• Bergen County Administration Building: 1 Bergen County Plaza, 1st Floor, 201-336-7300

Midland Park

• Northwest Senior Activity Center: 46-50 Center Street, 201-445-5690

Cooling Centers in Passaic County

Clifton

• Clifton Main Library: 292 Piaget Avenue, 973-772-5500
• Clifton Public Library Allwood Branch: 44 Lyall Road, 973-471-0555

Passaic

• Dignity House: 287 Broadway
• Julius Forstman Library: 195 Gregory Avenue, 973-779-0474
• Reid Memorial Library: 80 Third Street, 973-777-6044
• Senior Center: 330 Passaic Street

Paterson

• Paterson Free Public Library: 250 Broadway, 973-321-1223
• Paterson Library Northside Branch: 60 Temple Street, 973-321-1309
• Paterson Library Southside Branch: 930 Main Street, 973-357-3020
• Paterson Library Totowa Branch: 405 Union Avenue, 973-942-7198

Cooling Centers in Morris County

Chatham

• Chatham Library: 214 Main Street, 973-635-0603

Chester

• Chester Library: 250 West Main Street, 908-879-7612

Denville

• Denville Public Library: 121 Diamond Spring Road, 973-627-6555

East Hanover

• East Hanover Senior Center - 96 Mount Pleasant Avenue, 973-428-3060

Florham Park

• Senior Center: 111 Ridgedale Avenue

Jefferson Township

• Municipal Building: 1033 Weldon Road

Kinnelon

• Kinnelon Municipal Building: 130 Kinnelon Road, 973-838-5401 or 973-838-7573
• Kinnelon Public Library: 132 Kinnelon Road, 973-838-1321

Lincoln Park

• Lincoln Park Borough Hall: 34 Chapel Hill Road, 973-694-6100 or 973-694-3519

Long Hill

• Long Hill Library: 917 Valley Road

Mine Hill

• Mine Hill Civic Center: 12 Baker Street, 973-366-9031

Montville

• Montville Senior Center: 356 Main Road, 973-299-5087

Morris Plains

• Morris Plains Community Center: 51 Jim Fear Drive, 973-538-3455

Morristown

• Morristown Town Hall/Senior Center: 200 South St, 3rd Floor, 973-292-6690

Parsippany

• Parsippany-Troy Hills Main Library: 449 Halsey Road, 973-887-5150

Randolph

• Randolph Public Library: 28 Calais Road, 973-895-3556

Riverdale

• Riverdale Public Library: 93 Newark Pompton Turnpike, 973-835-5044

Rockaway

• Rockaway Assembly of God: 113 E Main Street, 973-627-0239
• Rockaway Borough Library: 82 East Main Street, 973-627-5709
• Rockaway Township Senior Center: 19 Mt Hope Road, 973-983-2898
• Rockaway Twp Marcella Community Center: 831 Green Pond Road, 973-983-0338
• Municipal Building: 10 Robert Street

See More: Where to Find Cooling Centers in Hudson County

Signs of Heat Stroke

According to the CDC, signs of heat stroke include "confusion, altered mental status, slurred speech; loss of consciousness; hot, dry skin, or profuse sweating; seizures; very high body temperature." Heat stroke can be fatal if it isn't properly treated.

Should you notice anyone experiencing these symptoms, you should call 911 immediately. Wetting the skin, using cold cloths, soaking clothing in cold water, and sitting in an ice bath are all recommended methods to cool down until help can arrive. Heat exhaustion, heat syncope, heat rash, and heat cramps are also potential heat-related issues.

Be sure to drink plenty of water, wear comfortable clothing, and try to limit exertion during these extremely hot days.