With the heat index regularly topping 100 degrees, Volusia County officials are sharing tips to beat the heat and have designated the county’s 14 public library branches as cooling stations.

Emergency management officials recommend that people without air conditioning escape dangerous temperatures by finding cool places. This is especially important for children, the elderly, and people with disabilities or chronic illnesses, all of whom are particularly vulnerable to heat.

“Our libraries are free and open to the public all year long,” noted Library Services Director Lucinda Colee. “While you’re here, you can find a good book or magazine to read, log on to a computer, and even take part in some of the many programs the libraries offer.”

If libraries aren’t your cup of tea, consider making a trip to a mall, going to a movie theater or visiting a museum.

Library locations and hours*

• Daytona Beach Regional Library, 105 Jackie Robinson Parkway, Daytona Beach
  Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday
• DeBary Public Library, 200 N. Charles R. Beall Blvd., DeBary
  Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday
• DeLand Regional Library, 130 E. Howry Ave., DeLand
  Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday
• Deltona Regional Library, 2150 Eustace Ave., Deltona
  Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday
• Edgewater Public Library, 103 W. Indian River Blvd., Deltona
  Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday
• Hope Place Public Library, 1310 Wright St., Daytona Beach
  Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday
• John H. Dickerson Heritage Library, 4111 S. Keech St., Daytona Beach
  Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday
• Lake Helen Public Library, 221 N. Euclid Ave., Lake Helen
  Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
• New Smyrna Beach Regional Library, 1001 S. Dixie Freeway, New Smyrna Beach
  Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday
• Oak Hill Public Library, 125 E. Halifax Ave., Oak Hill
  Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
• Orange City Public Library, 148 Albertus Way, Orange City
  Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
• Ormond Beach Regional Library, 30 S. Beach St., Ormond Beach
  Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday
• Pierson Public Library, 115 N. Volusia Ave., Pierson
  Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
• Port Orange Regional Library, 1005 City Center Circle, Port Orange
  Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday

*Note that the library branches will close at 5 p.m. July 3 and will remain closed on July 4.

Heat related illnesses

Heat exhaustion begins with heavy sweating, cold and clammy skin, nausea or vomiting, muscle cramps weakness, dizziness, headache, and possible fainting. If you experience these symptoms, move to a cool place, loosen your clothes, put cool, wet clothes on your body or take a cool shower, and sip water. Seek medical attention immediately if you are vomiting, your symptoms get worse, or your symptoms last longer than one hour.

Heat stroke is a medical emergency. It’s characterized by a body temperature of 103 degrees or higher, hot and red skin, rapid pulse, headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and possible loss of consciousness. Call 911 right away, move the person to a cooler place, and lower the person’s temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath. Do not give the person anything to drink.

Tips to keep your cool

The Florida Department of Health in Volusia County offers these tips to beat the heat.

Stay cool

• Wear lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing.
• Stay indoors in air conditioning, especially during the hottest part of the day.
• Schedule outdoor activities for early morning or later evening hours to avoid being outside during the hottest part of the day.
• Wear sunscreen.

Stay hydrated

• Drink plenty of water.
• Replace salts and minerals by drinking sports drinks after excessive sweat.
• Stay away from sugary or alcoholic drinks.

Stay informed

• Check on your neighbors and friends.
• Know the warning signs of heat related illness and how to treat them.
• Check the news regularly for weather updates.

Additional precautions

“If you feel overheated or unwell, act immediately,” said Emergency Services Director Jim Judge. “Stop any strenuous activity, go somewhere cool, drink water or an electrolyte beverage, and cool off by taking a cold shower or holding something cold against your skin. Call someone for help or call 911 – before your condition compromises your thinking skills.”
Never, ever leave children, older adults or pets alone in a car. Animals suffer in the heat too Volusia County Animal Services recommends that pet owners follow these safety tips.

• Keep plenty of clean, cool drinking water available at all times.
• Keep your pet indoors during the hottest times of the day.
• Never leave your pet in a parked car, even for a minute.
• Protect your pet from the sun. If your pet must stay in the yard (instead of the cool indoors, which is recommended), make sure there is adequate shade and ventilation.
• To help your pet stay cool, clip coats short, but not shaven. Sunburn is a danger to animals, especially light-colored animals.
• Dog pads burn easily, so avoid hot surfaces such as asphalt on hot days. Exercise pets in the morning or evening when it’s cooler.

The key symptoms of overheating in pets are excessive panting, stupor and collapse. Other symptoms include difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, vomiting, bloody diarrhea and seizures.

If your pet is overcome by the heat, place a cool, wet towel on the animal. When the towel becomes warm, replace it with another cool towel. Never immerse a pet in ice cold water as it may cause shock.