Warnings about excessive heat and poor air quality occur frequently during the summer and are important to pay attention to, for your own health sake, and or if you have vulnerable individuals under your care.

The National Weather Service will issue warnings about excessive heat when there is a prolonged period of dangerously hot conditions with heat index values near or exceeding 100 degrees, with overnight lows failing to drop below the 70s. Heat exhaustion or heat stroke are likely with prolonged exposure to these conditions.

The Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency issues Air Quality Alerts when the air contains unhealthy levels of pollutants, posing potential health risks. When the Air Quality Index (A.Q.I.) exceeds 100, air quality is considered to be unhealthy for sensitive groups. When the A.Q.I exceeds 200, the air quality is considered to be unhealthy for everyone.

It is important to track when these alerts are made, for the wellbeing of vulnerable populations. Checking on vulnerable populations during excessive heat is crucial to ensure their safety and well-being, as they are at a higher risk for heat-related illnesses. Sharing knowledge about the locations of cooling centers can help vulnerable populations find relief from the extreme heat and prevent heat exhaustion or heat stroke. By checking on vulnerable populations and informing them about cooling centers, we can prevent heat-related emergencies and potentially save lives.

There are good online references for air quality provided by the U.S. government. Hamilton County Emergency Management provides an alert service to which you can subscribe for notifications when excessive heat and or air quality alerts are in effect. Adult education materials about preparing for and being safe during excessive heat are provided by the U.S. Government.

Heat related illnesses are a very real and dangerous threat especially for those living in homes without air-conditioning. Outdoor workers, athletes, the elderly, people with a chronic medical condition, children, and the homeless or poor, are most at-risk to heat sickness.

If one does not have air-conditioning or has lost power, it is important to find an air-conditioned environment to give your body a break from the heat. Restaurants, shopping malls, community centers, and libraries are some locations to consider. There are as well a number of locations throughout Hamilton County that specifically welcome individuals and families in need of a place to cool down:  

1) The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is open during normal business hours, which is typically 10 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Saturday. Sometimes branches experience power outages due to storms which frequently accompany severe weather, so individuals seeking a cooling center are asked to please call the library’s main number, (513) 369-6900, to verify if their local branch is open.

2) Cincinnati Recreation Center locations are open during normal business hours, which varies by location. Please call (513) 352-4000 or visit their website for more information about availability and nearest branch locations.

3) YMCA of Greater Cincinnati is open during normal business hours, which varies by branch. Access during heat emergencies is free for members and nonmembers. Please call (513) 362-9622 or visit the website of your local branch for more information.

Clinton County uses a number of Fire Stations and County Buildings as emergency cooling centers. A list of these Clinton County Cooling Center locations and contact information is available for download.

Likewise, there is also a list of Butler County Cooling Center locations and contact information available for download.

If you have questions about whether pets will be allowed to accompany an individual seeking shelter, call ahead to the location to inquire about their policy.

You can find more health care resources by selecting the “Primary Medical Care” category tab on our Social Service “Utilization Library” page.