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City keeps cooling centers open through Friday

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As temperatures throughout New York stay well into the 90s, city officials said they'll not only keep "cooling centers" open through Friday, but many of the swimming pools — including the one in Van Cortlandt Park — will remain open longer. 

Cooling centers are air-conditioned facilities such as libraries, community centers, senior citizen centers and New York City Housing Authority facilities that open up during exreme heat. Because high heat and humidity are expected to continue Thursday and Friday, the city's emergency management department recommends:

• Keeping in touch with neighbors, especially those who might not have others to check on them, to ensure they're OK throughout the heat. That includes keeping a closer eye on the elderly and the very young, as well as others with pre-existing medical conditions. 

• A lot of heat exposure can actually happen indoors with homes without air-conditioning. Try to find places with air-condtioning, and drink plenty of water.

• Homeless people can stop by any shelter to seek refuge from the heat. Homeless services officials also are offering transportation to cooling centers, especially for those who are most vulnerable to the heat.

• Stay out of the sun and avoid temperature changes. If you do go outside, wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. 

• Keep drinking fluids, even if you don't feel thirsty. Try to avoid beverages that have alcohol or caffeine. Eat small, frequent meals.

• Avoid strenous activity, especially between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. 

• Go to an air-conditioned building for several hours. If that's not possible, try cooling down with a cool bath or shower. 

• Never leave children or pets in the car. 

City firefighters are warning against improper opening of fire hydrants, which can waste 1,000 gallons of water per minute, cause street flooding, and lower water pressures to dangerous levels in the neighborhood. 

"Spray caps" are available from local fire departments that limit water to 25 gallons per minute, providing relief from the heat, without the other problems. 

Local cooling centers include:

• Fort Independence youth center, 3350 Bailey Ave. Open Monday through Friday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., weekends from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., but hours may be extended during a heat emergency. (718) 796-2950.

• Fort Independence Social Club, 3350 Bailey Ave. Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (718) 796-2950.

• Kingsbridge Library, 291 W. 231st St. Open Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (718) 548-5656.

• Marble Hill senior center, 5365 Broadway. Open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but hours may be extended during a heat emergency. (718) 562-8551.

• Riverdale Library, 5540 Mosholu Ave. Open Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Riverdale senior center, 2600 Netherland Ave. Open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but hours may be extended during a heat emergency. (718) 884-5900.

• The Riverdale Y, 5625 Arlington Ave. Open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., but hours may be extended during a heat emergency. (718) 548-8200.

• Spuyten Duyvil Library, 650 W. 235th St. Open Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (718) 796-1202.

• Van Cortlandt Library, 3074 Sedgwick Ave. Open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (718) 543-5150.

• Van Cortlandt senior center, 3880 Sedgwick Ave. (front entrance, elevator to second floor). Open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (718) 549-4700.

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