With excessive heat expected throughout most of Florida, Alachua County is providing tips on how to stay safe and also take advantage of some of the air-conditioned places to visit.

With the heat index continuing to be well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit and forecasted to reach as high as 114 degrees, Alachua County Emergency Management will continue to monitor the situation.

The elevated temperatures place extra stress on the body and can lead to dangerous heat-related illnesses. The most vulnerable who are more than likely to suffer from heat-related illnesses include those without sufficient cooling resources, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing conditions.

Make sure to check on your loved ones, members of your house of worship, friends, neighbors, medically vulnerable individuals, and anyone else you know who may be particularly susceptible to the effects of excessive heat.

Use the information below to help keep yourself and those you care about safe and minimize the risk of heat-related illness:

Heat Exhaustion

• Weakness, headache, dizziness, or fainting.
• Paleness.
• Unusually elevated heart rate.
• Fast and shallow breathing.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Muscle cramps​

Heat Stroke

• Confusion altered mental status.
• Slurred speech, loss of consciousness.
• Hot, dry skin, profuse sweating, seizures.
• Extremely high body temperature (above 103°F)
• If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of a heat-related illness, please call 911 for assistance.

Tips for keeping safe and prepared

• Stay hydrated with water; avoid sugary and alcoholic beverages.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing.
• Stay cool in an air-conditioned area.
• Avoid engaging in strenuous activities during peak hours.
• Take a cool shower or bath.
• Check on friends, family, and neighbors who may be at risk from excessive heat.

If you lack access to adequate air conditioning or have financial concerns about the increased use of your AC, consider going to these public spaces:

• Alachua Branch Library: 14913 NW 140th St., Alachua (Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday noon – 5 p.m.)
• Archer Branch Library: 13266 SW SR 45, Archer (Monday & Sunday closed, Tuesday – Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
• Clarence R Kelly Center: 1701 NE 8th Ave., Gainesville (Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sunday closed)
• Cone Park Branch Library: 2801 E. University Ave., Gainesville (Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday closed)
• Eastside Community Center at Cone Park: 2841 E. University Ave., Gainesville (Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday closed)
• Hawthorne Branch Library: 6640 SE 221st St., Hawthorne (Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday noon – 5 p.m.)
• Headquarters Library – Gainesville: 401 E. University Ave., Gainesville (Monday and Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Tuesday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday noon – 5 p.m.)
• High Springs Branch Library: 23779 W. US HWY 27, High Springs (Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday noon – 5 p.m.)
• Library Partnership Branch – Gainesville: 912 NE 16th Ave., Gainesville (Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday closed)
• Micanopy Branch Library: 706 N.E. Cholokka Blvd., Micanopy (Monday and Sunday closed, Tuesday – Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
• Millhopper Branch Library: 3145 NW 43rd St., Gainesville (Monday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Tuesday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday noon – 5 p.m.)
• MLK Center: 1028 NE 14th St., Gainesville (Monday – Friday 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.)
• Newberry Branch Library: 110 S. Seaboard Drive, Newberry (Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday noon – 5 p.m.)
• Tower Road Branch Library: 3020 SW 75th St., Gainesville (Monday and Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Tuesday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday noon – 5 p.m.)
• Waldo Branch Library: 15150 NE US HWY 301, Waldo (Monday and Sunday closed, Tuesday – Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.)

For more information, contact Alachua County Emergency Management Director Jen Grice at 352-264-6510 or JGrice@alachuacounty.us.