City of Dover Warming and Cooling Centers

City facilities serve as warming and cooling centers

Several City of Dover facilities serve as warming centers during extreme cold weather and cooling centers during extreme hot weather.

These specific public buildings are accessible and welcome those seeking relief from the weather during regular business hours:

Dover Public Library, 73 Locust St. Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
McConnel Center, 61 Locust St. Hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Dover City Hall, 288 Central Ave. Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Dover Police Department Lobby, 46 Chestnut St. Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Dover's three fire stations are also open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They are located at 262 Sixth St., 9-11 Broadway, and 25 Durham Road.

For an up-to-date weather forecast, visit the National Weather Service's information for Dover at bit.ly/doverweather.

WAYS TO COOL OFF IN DOVER

Cooling centers

Residents looking to cool off can visit cooling centers during regular hours, including:

McConnell Center cafeteria at 61 Locust St. Hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Dover Public Library at 73 Locust St. Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Closed Sundays during the summer.
City Hall at 288 Central Ave. Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Dover Police Department lobby at 46 Chestnut St., open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Community Action Partnership of Strafford County's Day Center, located at Bradley Commons, 577 Central Ave. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Fire stations. The city's three fire stations are also available 24 hours a day as a cooling center. The Liberty North End Fire Station is located at 262 Sixth St. The Central Fire Station is located at 9-11 Broadway. The South End Fire Station is located at 25 Durham Road.

Pools and Splash pad

The City of Dover operates two pools and a splash pad:

Jenny Thompson Outdoor Pool, at 140 Portland Ave., is open daily with scheduled times for lap swims and recreational swims on a first-come, first-served basis. Find more information about the pool, schedule and costs at https://www.dover.nh.gov/government/city-operations/recreation/jenny-thompson-pool/.
Dover Indoor Pool at 9 Henry Law Ave., is currently open seven days a week. Find more information about the pool, schedule and costs at https://www.dover.nh.gov/government/city-operations/recreation/aquatics/
Splash Pad at the Dover Adventure Playground, at Henry Law Park, is activated daily from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Need help getting there?

The Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation, or COAST, operates a fleet of buses through the Seacoast region. Find schedules, trip planners and real time bus information at https://coastbus.org.

Signs of heat-related illnesses

Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and salt, usually through excessive sweating. Those most prone to heat exhaustion include the elderly, those with high blood pressure, and those working in hot environments. Symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, irritability, thirst, heavy sweating, elevated body temperature and decreased urine output.
If you are experiencing heat exhaustion, drink cool beverages, seek air conditioning, rest, and remove unnecessary clothing, including shoes and socks. Cool the body with cold compresses and/or wash the head, face and neck with cold water. If left untreated, heat stroke can result.
Heat stroke is life-threatening. It occurs when the body is unable to control its temperature. The body temperature can rise rapidly, its sweating mechanism fails, and the body cannot cool down. When heat stroke occurs, the body temperature can rise to 106 degrees or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Call 911 for emergency medical care. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not given.
Heat stroke symptoms include red skin that is hot to the touch, changes in consciousness, confusion, altered mental status, and slurred speech. Other signs include rapid, weak pulse and rapid, shallow breathing. The body temperature may rise dramatically, and the skin may feel dry. Move someone experiencing heat stroke to a cool place and seek emergency medical assistance.

Find more information about warning signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses at https://www.cdc.gov/extreme-heat/signs-symptoms/.

Preventing Heat-Related Illness

Wear appropriate clothing. Choose lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.
Stay in an air-conditioned place as much as possible. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library—even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.
Use your stove and oven less to maintain a cooler temperature in your home.
Take a cool shower or bath to cool off.
Do not leave kids or anyone else in cars.

When traveling with children, remember to do the following:

Never leave infants, children or pets in a parked car. Cars can quickly heat up to dangerous temperatures, even with a window cracked open. While anyone left in a parked car is at risk, children are especially at risk of getting a heat stroke or dying.
To remind yourself that a child is in the car, keep a stuffed animal in the car seat. When the child is buckled in, place the stuffed animal in the front with the driver.
When leaving your car, check to be sure everyone is out of the car. Do not overlook any children who have fallen asleep in the car.

Find more prevention tips at https://www.cdc.gov/extreme-heat/prevention/.

Staying cool tips

Stay out of the sun as much as possible. Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day and take regular breaks from physical activity.
Wear sunscreen and loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing to help keep cool.
Never leave children, seniors, pets, or people with health conditions in a parked vehicle, even briefly. Temperatures can become dangerous within a few minutes.
Check on your neighbors, especially seniors and people with chronic illnesses, to see if they need assistance.
Use air conditioning to cool down. People who do not have an air conditioner can go to an air-conditioned public building, such as a public library or shopping mall, for a few hours. (See Cooling Centers above).
Drink plenty of fluids – don't wait until you're thirsty to drink. Water is best. Avoid alcohol, caffeine and sugary drinks.
Be aware that some medicines affect the body's ability to sweat and stay cool. Do NOT stop taking medication unless instructed to do so by your healthcare provider.

Need emergency assistance?

The City's Public Welfare Department is available to coordinate services for those who need and want emergency assistance, including shelter, food and medical care.

The Public Welfare Department, 61 Locust St., Room 334 on the third floor of the McConnell Center, is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Phone: 603-516-6500; website: www.dover.nh.gov/government/city-operations/public-welfare/.

For after-hours emergency needs, call 603-742-4646, visit the Police Department at 46 Chestnut St, or any of the three fire stations, all available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to request assistance.