With warmer weather here and air quality keeping some Milwaukeeans indoors, here are some ways to stay safe and cool over the summer: 

Splash pads and wading pools

Pools and other places to cool down at Milwaukee County Parks are open during regular business hours throughout the summer. Look for one of the eight free splash pads close to your neighborhood, or call the aquatics hotline at (414) 257-8098 for more information.

How to find a cooling center

1. Use your phone. Call Impact at 2-1-1, which can connect you to the overnight shelters and centers closest to you. You can also text your ZIP code to TXT-211.

2. Go online

You can also look at the city Health Department’s list of designated cooling centers.

Cooling center locations

Many senior centers serve as bad-weather shelters in extreme heat. Here are a few:

Washington Park Senior Center
4420 W. Vliet St.
(414) 933-2332
Open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Wilson Park Senior Center
2601 W. Howard Ave.
(414) 282-5566
Open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Clinton & Bernice K. Rose Senior Center
3045 N. Martin Luther King Drive
(414) 263-2255
Open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

All Milwaukee Public Library locations allow individuals to cool down in the air-conditioning during regular business hours. Call (414) 286-3000 to speak with a librarian regarding a specific branch.

Air quality

Check in with the government website Airnow to monitor air quality.

Follow these tips from health officials to beat the heat

1. Slow down and limit physical activity, especially if you are working outside or in hot settings.

2. Never leave children, persons with a disability, or pets in a parked car – as temperatures can become life threatening within minutes.

3. Use fans to increase ventilation, unless temperatures exceed 90 degrees at which point fans become ineffective in reducing heat-related illness.

4. Stay hydrated! Drink plenty of water throughout the day regardless of thirst, to avoid dehydration.

5. Check in with neighbors and family to make sure they are staying cool.