Where To Find Sussex County’s Cooling Centers

SUSSEX COUNTY, NJ — Temperatures are soaring throughout all of New Jersey, with Sussex County having established locations where residents can go if they need a cool place. Some are open for part of the day and others around the clock.

For an updated list, visit New Jersey 2-1-1’s cooling centers page, then choose “Sussex County.”

Locations currently include (as of 7:20 p.m. June 29, 2021):

The Sussex County Library (masks are required at these library locations):

• Franklin Branch at 103 Main Street in Franklin (open 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.)
• Dennis Branch at 101 Main Street in Newton (open 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.)
• Main Branch at 125 Morris Turnpike in Frankford (Newton mailing address)(open 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.)
• E Louise Childs Branch at 21 Stanhope Sparta Road in Stanhope (open 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.)
• Dorothy Henry Branch at 66 Route 94 Vernon (open from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.)

Other locations are:

• Sussex-Wantage Branch at 69 County Route 639 in Wantage (open from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.)
• Sparta Library at 22 Woodport Road in Sparta (open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
• Sparta Police Department at 65 Main Street in Sparta (open 24 hours)
• Sussex Borough Firehouse at 25 Loomis Avenue, Sussex (open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

New Jersey’s Office Of Emergency Management cautions everyone in the Garden State that heat indices can reach more that 100 to 105 and with excessive heat advisories through Wednesday possible.

Cooling center information is available statewide at www.nj211.org, by dialing 2-1-1 or texting 898211 with your zip code to find a cooling center. Cooling centers may include shopping centers, libraries, community centers and other locations.

New Jersey’s OEM gives the following tips for people who must go outside, how to stay cool indoors and other tips:

1. Wear lightweight, loose, light-colored clothes.
2. Stay in the shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat to cover your face.
3. Stay hydrated.
4. Steer clear of “high-energy activities.”
5. Try not to use electric fans when it’s more than 95, which “create a false sense of comfort” and don’t reduce body temperatures.
6. High heat can cause power outages. See more information here about what to do before, during and after outages.
7. Check on family members, neighbors and friends, especially those who may be seniors, for heat-related illnesses.
8. Never leave children, pets or anyone alone in a hot parked car, even for a minute (find more heat-related pet care tips here) or it can turn deadly, New Jersey OEM said.

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