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SAN ANTONIO — With the heat index expected to reach 100 degrees this weekend, the City of San Antonio is opening cooling centers.

The city says adults 65 and older; children 4 and younger; and people with existing medical conditions are at higher risk on days with high temperatures. They are also suggesting people drink plenty of water and protect themselves from sun exposure. They are also encouraging everyone to check on neighbors and loved ones who may not have access to air conditioning.

One thing for elderly residents to keep in mind: Senior centers will be closed, so they'll have to use libraries as cooling centers to beat this heat. The county is also offering two cooling centers and also partnering with Meals on Wheels.

"Meals on Wheels will conduct in-home safety checks with senior residents in the unincorporated areas of Bexar County and the 26 suburban cities," said Tom Peine, a county spokesperson.   

Nine additional cooling centers will be opened for seniors on Monday.

Additionally, the county remains under a burn ban. Outdoor burning is not recommended at all with the dry winds this weekend, and all residents are urged to remain diligent and avoid activities that could spark a fire.

Metro Health is reminding everyone to keep these heat safety tips at the top of mind:

George Perez, the Operations Manager for Public Health Emergency Preparedness with Metro Health said, "Profuse sweating for someone... looking flush in the face or even pale at times, depending on the age of the individual," said George Perez, operations manager for public health emergency preparedness with Metro Health. "Because usually, if you're a senior (or) older person, (you) may not sweat as much as someone who is younger."

"We do have these our infrared heat guns where we can just point at the animal pointing at the ground, get accurate readings as to that the weather that your dogs are are seeing," added Bethany Snowden, field operations manager with Animal Care Services. 

Animal Care Services will have a zero-tolerance police this weekend and reminds owners to make sure fresh water and shelter is always available for their pets. A shaded parking spot or cracked window does little to protect animals from heat. Mind pets around water; most are not natural swimmers. Chain tethers are not allowed.

When it comes to saving energy, CPS Energy officials advise setting thermostats two to three degrees higher during the heat of the day. Plus:

"The reason why is because your skin is actually emitting perspiration on its own, and the air from the ceiling fan hitting your skin actually makes you feel cooler," said Christine Patmon, of CPS Energy. 

If you don't have transportation and want to get to one of the cooling centers, VIA is offering fare-free trips to and from cooling centers as long as they stay open. 

The cooling centers are available to the public during normal business hours; see the full list below. For tips on pets and heat, click here. For tips on conserving electricity during high heat times, click here. For resources to help you beat the heat across San Antonio, click here.  

Parman Branch Library at Stone Oak

Alicia Trevino Lopez Senior Center

Claude Black Community Center (District 2)

West End Park Comprehensive Senior Center

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