Heat relief sites in Tempe open May 1 through Sept. 30

Find all water, cooling and donation sites in the region through the Heat Relief Network's searchable map. 

Cooling Centers

• Access to water 
• Connect with City's HOPE homeless outreach team
• Visitors may stay all day

Church of the Epiphany - 2222 S. Price Road 
Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday – Wednesday
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Thursday – Saturday
12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday

Hydration Stations

• Access to water 
• Temporary place to cool off

Escalante Community Center - 2150 E. Orange St.
8 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday - Thursday
8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Friday
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday
1 p.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday
Holiday hours: Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day noon - 6 p.m.;  Juneteenth 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. 

Kiwanis Recreation Center - 6111 S. All America Way
7 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday - Thursday
7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Friday
8 a.m. – 6 p.m. on weekends
Holiday hours: Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4th, Labor Day noon - 6 p.m.

North Tempe Multi-Generational Center - 1555 N. Bridalwreath St.
8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday - Friday
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday
Holiday hours
Closed: Memorial Day, July  3rd and 4th, Labor Day
Open: Juneteenth 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Westside Multi-Generational Center - 715 W. Fifth St.
8 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday – Friday10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday
Holiday hours
Closed: Memorial Day, July  3rd and 4th, Labor Day
Open: Juneteenth 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Please help us collect water bottles, electrolyte drinks and nutritional snacks to support Tempe's Cooling Center and the City of Tempe’s HOPE homeless outreach team this summer (May 1 - Sept. 30). Hygiene products, hand sanitizer and sunscreen are also appreciated. 

Drop-off location: 
Church of the Epiphany
2222 S. Price Road 

480-968-4111

What the latest data shows about heat risk and how to stay safe

• Don’t wait for “extreme” heat—act early. Nearly half of heat-related deaths happened on moderate-risk days, not just the most severe ones. Take precautions anytime temperatures rise, not just during heat warnings.
• Get out of the heat—especially during peak months. Most deaths happened outdoors, and the deadliest stretch runs mid-June through early September. Limit time outside, seek shade and take breaks in air-conditioned spaces.
• Make sure your AC works—and use it. In most indoor deaths, an AC unit was present but not working or not in use. Don’t assume you’re safe indoors. Check your system and use it consistently.
• Check on others, especially older adults. About 60% of deaths were people age 50+, and nearly half of indoor deaths were discovered during welfare checks. A quick call or visit can save a life.
• Know your risk factors. Health conditions (like heart disease or diabetes) and substance use were common in heat-related deaths. If you or someone you know has added risk, take extra precautions and stay hydrated and cool. 

Recognize the signs of heat-related illness

Who's at risk? Everyone! Extreme heat affects us all but some are impacted more than others, particularly unsheltered people, older adults, youth, outdoor workers, those in low-income households and people who use stimulants such as meth, MDMA and cocaine.

How to help

• In the case of heat cramps or exhaustion, move the person to a cooler place and give a half glass of COOL (not cold) water every 15 minutes (not too quickly). Apply wet cloths and/ or seek an air-conditioned space, if possible.
• If you think someone is suffering from the life-threatening symptoms of a heat stroke, call 9-1-1 fast and move the person to a cooler space. Quickly cool the body by using any means, including cool water and ice. Have them lie down and place cold packs on their wrists, ankles, armpits, and neck while monitoring for signs of breathing issues. 

Take care of yourself and others

• Do not leave children or pets in cars. Learn more about Kids and Cars.
• Bring pets indoors and keep them hydrated.
• Check in on those who are at greater risk, such as infants/young children, those 65 and older, and those with chronic diseases.

It's important to stay safe outdoors and indoors.

• If you’re at home and indoors with high temperatures, wear as little clothing as possible.
• Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperatures hit the high 90s, they will not prevent heat-related illness!  
• Stay in air conditioned space; if your home isn't then go to a shopping mall,  cooling center or public library nearby. Even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back out into the heat.
• Take frequent cool baths or showers, but do not take a shower immediately after becoming overheated - you may cool down too quickly and feel ill or dizzy.

Learn more here.

Every year we hear the devastating stories of children and pets left in hot cars.  Minutes matter even in seemingly cooler temperatures. It can take only 10 minutes for a car's indoor temperature to increase by 20 degrees. For example, if the outdoor temperature is 72 degrees, inside a car it can  become 92 degrees.

• Be mindful of children and pets in vehicles.
• Don’t allow children to play in cars, which could tempt them to go inside on their own.
• So you don’t forget your child or pet is in the back seat, when entering your car place an essential item in the back seat such as a cell phone, wallet or purse. You’ll be sure to check the back seat before you exit the car.
• When getting out of your car, double check the back seats, lock your vehicle and place the keys out of the reach of children.

One family's story

A local family shared their tragic story to help other families avoid a similar loss. Watch this video to learn more.

Community resources

Several city and community resources are available to assist residents in need.

Utility assistance

• If you are having difficulty paying your Tempe utility bill, contact customer service to make a payment plan.
• Limited income assistance programs are offered by APS and SRP.
• Qualifying low-income Arizonans can get utility bill assistance through the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) administered by the Arizona Department of Economic Security.
• Power AZ is a $15 million initiative through the anti-poverty nonprofit Wildfire. Their utility assistance program has been expanded to qualify more middle-income Arizonians. 

Rent and mortgage assistance

• Tempe Community Action Agency offers rent and utility assistance to eligible households.
•  Arizona 211 connects residents with statewide assistance. 
• The Salvation Army provides emergency utility assistance.

Summer meals for kids

Free summer meals for children 0-18 years. These locations operate Monday through Friday. More info visit Tempe Schools.

Home repairs

• Tempe offers a program for air conditioning repairs for income-qualified residents.  Call Housing Services for information at 480-350-8950.
• Maricopa County offers home improvement program for qualified residents.  

City code

Tempe renters are entitled by city ordinance to working air conditioning. If the temperature in your home or apartment is 88F or above for evaporative cooling or 82F or above for air conditioning, contact your management company or landlord. Then you can file a complaint with the city’s Code Enforcement division through Tempe 311 at 480-350-4311, which is open every weekday.

Pet help

Pet Housing Help - Locate temporary housing for pets.

Lost our Home Pet Rescue - Resources for pets in need.

Stay connected 

Heat safety flier - Top health and safety tips for staying safe in Arizona heat.

Heat Risk Map - Neighborhood-level forecast of potential risk due to excessive produced by the National Weather Service

Heat-Related Illness Patient Handout – Learn how to prevent heat-related illness with common signs and symptoms.

Extreme heat education - Get information from Maricopa County Public Health.

Excessive heat alerts - Sign up for alerts by email or text. 

Find more information from the CDC and health officials in Arizona.

Heat and health information on social media

• Maricopa County Public Health resources in English
  • Twitter:  /maricopahealth
  • Facebook:  /MCDPH
  • Website:   heataz.org
• Maricopa County Public Health resources in Spanish
  • Twitter:  /saludMaricopa 
  • Website:  caloraz.org/
•  Maricopa County in English
• • Twitter:  /maricopacounty
  • Facebook:  /maricopacountyaz 
• Maricopa County in Spanish
  • Twitter:  /CondadoMaricopa 
  • Facebook:  /CondadoMaricopa 

Regional collaboration

The Heat Relief Network in Maricopa County offers a searchable map showing water, cooling and donation sites throughout the Valley with the goal of preventing heat-related illnesses and deaths among vulnerable populations. The map and directories are updated as new partners sign up throughout the summer season, which runs through September 30. 

Extreme heat threatens the health of Tempe residents and this threat will get more severe in the coming decades. Our high temperatures are further exacerbated by the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, in which the cement and concrete absorbs heat in the day leading to increased temperatures in the urban center compared to its rural surroundings; this prevents the city from cooling off at night and increases the intensity of the heat during peak hours.

Learn more about Tempe's sustainability and resilience to extreme heat efforts.

Tempe has developed a set of criteria for selecting funded sites.

This criteria took into account the needs of those who use the centers as well as the needs of the neighborhoods they are located it. 

• It was determined that centers need to be located at least 1,000 feet from a school and, to make them convenient to those who need them most, they need to be located less than a quarter mile from public transportation.  

• We also determined that the centers need to have accessible restrooms and adequate air conditioning. They needed to be pet-friendly and have a shaded outdoor waiting area. 

• This criteria is only used for sites that receive city funding and resources. Any group can decide on their own to provide heat relief in Tempe and add themselves to the Heat Relief Network map.