Boston’s first heart wave of the season is expected to arrive on Sunday and continue through Tuesday, with heat indices anticipated to reach between 95 and 100. Photo via Unsplash/Ana Garnica

University News

BU Opens Cooling Stations as First Heat Wave of the Season Arrives

Plus, how to stay safe amidst sweltering temperatures

Summer has barely begun and Boston is already in the grips of the season’s first heat wave. A heat dome blanketing much of the Northeast is expected to bring several days of temperatures in the 90s, accompanied by soaring humidity. The heat wave is predicted to begin Sunday and linger through Tuesday, when the thermostat is anticipated to climb to 98 degrees. With heat indices likely to hit between 97 and 100 degrees each day, the National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for the region. In response, BU is opening cooling stations across the University’s Charles River Campus for students seeking some relief.

Starting Sunday, and continuing through Tuesday, the George Sherman Union, 775 Comm Ave, will be open to students from 7 am to midnight. In addition, the lobby at the Questrom School of Business (595 Comm Ave) will be open from 7 am to 10 pm; the lobby at the Center for Computing & Data Sciences (665 Comm Ave) will be open from 7 am to 10 pm (card access needed after 7 pm); and the basement lounge at 522 Park Drive will be open 24 hours a day (for South Campus residents only). The South Campus location is inaccessible for those with mobility impairments. Students with accessibility concerns should use the GSU location. In addition, the lobby of the Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground (808 Comm Ave) will be open on Monday and Tuesday from 9 am to 5 pm.

Cooling centers have been established for high school summer program residents only at the following locations: basement rooms B11B and B11C at Claflin Hall (273 Babcock St.) 24 hours a day; Rooms 210A, 210B, and 212 at Sleeper Hall (275 Babcock St.) 24 hours a day; and the Cinema Room (Room 110) at Rich Hall (277 Babcock St.) 24 hours a day.

The University also has dozens of bottle-filling stations across the Charles River Campus for members of the BU community.

Click on the green icons above to find bottle-filling stations on BU’s Charles River Campus.

“Heat-related illness is caused by prolonged exposure to heat and humidity without adequate fluid intake,” says Judy Platt, BU’s chief health officer and executive director of Student Health Services. “There are several ways that heat-related illnesses can present. Some people may experience nausea or vomiting, while others may experience severe headaches and muscle cramps. Heavy sweating, as well as lack of sweating, can both be causes for concern.

“While many of our BU buildings are air-conditioned, we are opening several cooling stations to provide additional opportunities to prevent heat-related illness during the current heat wave. Staying hydrated and cool are important prevention measures. Be cautious when performing activities outdoors that require physical exertion,” Platt says. “Students who are concerned that they may be experiencing nonemergency heat-related illness are encouraged to reach out to Student Health Services for an appointment. Students, faculty, or staff who are on campus and believe they may be experiencing a heat-related emergency, such as heat stroke, should call BUPD at 617-353-2121. Students, faculty, or staff who are off campus should call 911.”

Signs of heat stroke, which occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature, include an extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees), red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating), a rapid, strong pulse, a throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and unconsciousness.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers the following tips to reduce the risk of heat-related illness:

Wear appropriate clothing: Choose lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.

Stay cool indoors: Stay in an air-conditioned place as much as possible. Even a few hours spent in air-conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. Keep in mind: electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, they will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off. Use your stove and oven less to maintain a cooler temperature in your home.

Schedule outdoor activities carefully: Try to limit your outdoor activity to when it’s coolest, like morning and evening hours. Rest often in shady areas so that your body has a chance to recover.

Pace yourself: Cut down on exercise during the heat. If you’re not accustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment, start slowly and pick up the pace gradually. If exertion in the heat makes your heart pound and leaves you gasping for breath, STOP all activity. Get into a cool area or into the shade, and rest, especially if you become lightheaded, confused, weak, or faint.

Wear sunscreen: Sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool down and can make you dehydrated. If you must go outdoors, protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going out. Continue to reapply it according to the package directions.

Avoid hot and heavy meals: They add heat to your body!

Drink plenty of fluids: Drink more fluids, regardless of how active you are. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.

Replace salt and minerals: Heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from the body that need to be replaced. A sports drink can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. If you are on a low-salt diet, have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other chronic conditions, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage or taking salt tablets.