Beat the Heat - Stay Safe
June 29, 2026
With the heat index predicted to climb over 100 degrees this week, keep yourself safe. Heat is typically the leading cause of weather-related fatalities each year. Heat waves have the potential to cover a large area, exposing a high number of people to a hazardous combination of heat and humidity, which can be very taxing on the body. Learn how to stay safe during a heat wave at weather.gov/heat.
The Library, Senior Activity Center, and Outdoor Pool, and Community Campus are all open the week of June 29 and are great places to beat the heat.
The Senior Activity Center at 125 Cottage Street
- Open Tuesday 9 am-7 pm
- Wednesday 9 am-6:30 pm
- Thursday 9 am-7 pm
- Friday from 9 am-5 pm
Along with an air-conditioned space that is free and open to the public, the center offers free Wi-Fi.
The Portsmouth Public Library at 155 Parrott Avenue
- Monday-Thursday: 10 am-8 pm
- Closed: Friday-Sunday
The Library is an air-conditioned space and offers free Wi-Fi.
The Peirce Island Outdoor Pool at 99 Peirce Island Road
- Open Tuesday and Thursday 1 pm-6:15 pm
- Wednesday and Friday 1 pm-5:15 pm
- Saturday, July 4 from 11 am-4 pm
- Sunday, July 5 from 11 am – 5:15 pm
Community Campus
- Open Wednesday and Thursday 8 am-8 pm
- Open Friday 8 am-5 pm
Free water and Wi-Fi on site.
Indoor Pool
Due to extreme temperatures on the pool deck, Indoor Pool will close at 1 pm on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Tips to stay cool and safe when temperatures climb
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activities
- Wear light clothing
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Check on your neighbors (particularly the elderly and those without A/C)
- Never leave a child or a pet in a hot car
- Stay informed by following local weather alerts for storm and heat safety updates (sign up for Smart911 for emergency alerts)
Other resources
Project Cool Air - If you or someone you know does not have air conditioning check to see if they qualify for Project Cool Air, which provides a free air conditioner to those who meet the criteria.