Riverside public health officials had to issue heat warnings during the summer of 2011 and into the fall as well, as temperatures soared into the triple digits for a number of days. As a result, the city opened emergency cool centers throughout the area providing drop-in sites for vulnerable individuals including seniors, handicapped people, and others in need of temporary relief from the heat. Riverside, California air conditioning contractors who worked on the project said it’s very dangerous to be in triple-digit temperatures without air conditioning and if people can’t get to a cool center they should go to a mall or public library during the hottest hours. But the centers aren’t picky – A/C and heating contractors in Riverside said even residents who just want to save some money on their electric bills are welcome to spend time in the cooling center.