I’d be shocked if I had to remind any of you who are reading this right now to not open fire hyrdants when it gets hotter than blazes outside. But, yeah, don’t open fire hydrants. Instead, if you or someone you’re with starts to overheat, the District has cooling centers where you can go and enjoy air conditioning, a nice drink of water and just take a break from the intensity of the sun baring down on you like we’ve jumped past Venus in the pecking order. Here’s where you can take a chill pill in D.C.:

• One Judiciary Square 441 4th Street, NW
• Frank D. Reeves Center (Lobby), 2000 14th Street, NW
• King Office Building (Lobby), 3720 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE
• 920 Rhode Island Avenue, NE

WAMU also has a comprehensive list of cooling centers in Maryland and Virginia.

In all seriousness, though, these cooling stations are vital for the District’s homeless and elderly population, who often suffer hyperthermia during oppressive heat waves. The District’s Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management operates a hyperthermia hotline; if you are with or see someone who needs transportation to one of these cooling centers, call (202) 399-7093. Obviously, if you see a person in real trouble, you should call 911 first.