CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- How to prevent heatstroke and cool down in public places during hot days, and provide citizens with "coolness"? The reporter went and found it out.

Caring stations: places allowing outdoor workers to rest and avoid summer heat

The continuous high temperature has made the caring stations good places for many outdoor workers to take a break and avoid summer heat.

At 9:00 am on July 17, as soon as the reporter pushed open the door of the caring station at Shengde Road in Shapingba District, a cool breeze blew in his face. After entering the room, the reporter found that there were also appliances such as a microwave, a hot water kettle, an electric fan, a refrigerator, etc.

At the intersection near the caring station, cleaning worker Ms Zhang was sweeping the leaves along the roadside. She said, "as it’s getting hotter and hotter, I'm worried about heatstroke. I'll go back to the caring station to drink some water, take a break and enjoy the air conditioning after I finish sweeping this road.”

The reporter learned that caring stations provide places for temporary rest for outdoor workers such as cleaning workers, gardeners, courier and delivery workers, urban management law enforcement officers, etc. They also provide convenient services such as free drinking water, consultation, mobile phone charging, medical emergency, etc.

Rail transit stations: places set up with cooling areas for citizens to cool off

Chongqing Rail Transit also provides citizens with a thoughtful "cool gift" - cooling areas.

On that day, the reporter arrived at the Zhuangyuanbei Station of CRT Line 6, where he went down the stairs along Exit 1A and happened to see a cooling area specially designed for citizens. The cooling area is located at the corner next to the ticket vending machine, enclosed by two retractable barriers and walls to form a square area, with several chairs placed inside.

Several citizens gathered in the cooling area, chatting or playing chess, looking very relaxed and comfortable. There are two signs standing beside the cooling area, which respectively read "Cooling Area" and "Be civilized and abide by rules in the cooling area".

“It is so good to set up such cooling areas, "said Wang Ming, a resident living in Beibei District. He had just returned from working in another city and had to take another few stations by rail transit to get home, so he decided to take a break here. "It is so hot that it makes feel dizzy. When I entered in and saw the cooling area, which is free, I felt happy at once.

The relevant person in charge of Chongqing City Transportation Development & Investment Group Co, Ltd. said that this year, operating units of Chongqing Rail Transit have set up 140 cooling areas in underground stations if they can, an increase of 13 compared to 2023. To provide high-quality services to citizens, station staff will regularly clean and disinfect the cooling areas to ensure that citizens can cool down in a clean and hygienic environment. At the same time, stations have also prepared supplies for heatstroke prevention and cooling such as Huoxiangzhengqishui (a kind of herba agastachis syrup for restoring healthy energy) and essential balm for emergency use. In addition, station staff have also learned and mastered the basic knowledge about heatstroke prevention, as well as skills for emergencies in high temperature weather, to ensure they can provide services to passengers at any time.

Air-raid shelters and shopping malls: places allowing citizen to enjoy the cool, take a break and seek pleasure

During hot summer days, air raid shelters and shopping malls are also good places for citizens to avoid summer heat and cool off.

At noon, the reporter reached the cooling area of the civil air defense engineering in Beibei District, which was completed by the 208 Geological Team of Chongqing Bureau of Geology and Minerals Exploration. The reporter saw here that there were retirement department offices of the 208 Geological Team in charge of the air-raid shelter, as well as medical and health center, smart elderly care communities, and so on. After walking into the air-raid shelter, the reporter found that the facilities and equipment inside the shelter were complete and tidy, and many citizens were cooling off inside.

"I participated in the construction of this place when it was built." In the air raid shelter, a former employee of the 208 Geological Team, Grandma Li and her neighbors sat on rattan chairs. She said that this used to be the staff club of the company, but now it is open to the public. There are many elderly people like her around, and they will come here to cool off as soon as it gets hot outside. Sometimes they also hold activities such as playing cards and chess. This not only provides a place to cool off, but also enriches the lives of the elderly.

At 2:00 p.m., the outdoor temperature remained high. Walking into Jinsha Paradise Walk in Shapingba District, the reporter found that this place was also popular, where citizens were scattered in various areas of the mall to enjoy the coolness.

“It is very hot, so I came to the mall with my child, where he can have a great time while I can also go shopping. It is safe and cool here," said a mother happily.

Staff of the mall stated that the mall is equipped with supplies such as Huoxiangzhengqishui and ice water, and all public areas are available for citizens to cool off and rest. There are also seats available for rest in milk tea shops, coffee shops, and other places. When there is congestion during peak hours, the mall will also distribute drinking water at the parking lot exit to prevent people from getting heatstroke. (Translated by Jane, Fathom Language Limited)