Ahead of Expected High Heat Indices, NYCEM and the Health Department Advise New Yorkers to Beat the Heat

Emergency Management


Press Release


For Immediate Release
#24-23

AHEAD OF EXPECTED HIGH HEAT INDEXES, NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ADVISE NEW YORKERS TO BEAT THE HEAT

New York City will be under a heat advisory from Thursday, July 27, through Saturday, July 29

Cooling centers are open across the city beginning Thursday, July 27. To find the nearest location, including hours of operation, call 311 or visit the City’s Cooling Center Finder

(Cooling Center Finder will be activated on Wednesday evening)

July 25, 2023 — The New York City Emergency Management Department and the Health Department today advised New Yorkers to take precautions to beat the heat. The National Weather Service issued a Heat Advisory for New York City, starting this Thursday. The city is bracing for a sweltering wave of high heat index values from Thursday through Saturday, with the temperatures set to soar into the 90s across the boroughs. The most intense conditions are predicted to hit on Friday. The estimated heat index stands at 102 for Thursday, escalating to 103 on Friday, before cooling slightly but still at 99 on Saturday.

“New Yorkers should prepare for serious heat this week with a heat advisory in effect starting Thursday until Saturday,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “Let’s not underestimate the effects severe heat can have on us and our neighbors. As such, we will have our cooling centers opening to help New Yorkers stay cool. And our city’s resident can find additional ways to stay cool at NYC.gov/beattheheat. Make sure to check in on your elderly neighbors, drink water, and keep your pets hydrated.”

“As we brace for a week of heightened heat, we are witnessing what is fast becoming our new normal — a direct repercussion of climate change. In NYC Emergency Management, we've adapted to these increasingly common weather extremes as part of our mission to protect our city,” shared NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. “It's crucial to remember that combating climate change demands both large-scale action and individual preparedness. I call on all New Yorkers to exercise caution and take necessary steps to lessen their exposure to these conditions.”

“Heat is deadly, and climate change is making extreme heat more frequent and even more dangerous, especially for vulnerable New Yorkers, so it is absolutely critical that we take care of ourselves and each other,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “Stay hydrated, make use of available resources to stay cool and check in on family members, friends, and neighbors, especially older and less mobile adults. It is more important than ever, with climate change clearly a public health issue, that we follow public health guidance in order to stay safe.”

To help New Yorkers beat the heat, on Thursday through Saturday, New York City will open cooling centers throughout the five boroughs. Cooling center locations may have changed from last year. To find a cooling center, including accessible facilities closest to you, call 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115) or visit the City’s Cooling Center Finder. The finder will be activated tomorrow evening Wednesday, July 26. New York City opens cooling centers when the heat index is forecast to be 95 degrees or above for two or more consecutive days, or if the heat index is forecast to be 100 degrees or above for any amount of time. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, individuals are reminded to stay at home if they are feeling sick or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19.

New Yorkers can now also find cooling centers that welcome pets throughout the five boroughs. The City has also partnered with Petco to offer New Yorkers and their pets additional spaces to seek relief from the heat. All locations can be found on the City’s Cooling Center Finder. As a reminder, service animals are always allowed at cooling centers.

In New York City, most heat-related deaths occur after exposure to heat in homes without air conditioners. Air conditioning is the best way to stay safe and healthy when it is hot outside, but some people at risk of heat illness do not have or do not turn on an air conditioner.

The New York City Emergency Management Department and the Health Department urge New Yorkers to take steps to protect themselves and help others who may be at increased risk from the heat. For more information, including heat-related health tips and warning signs of heat illness, visit NYC.gov/health or NYC.gov/beattheheat.

New York City's outdoor pools are open for the summer. All NYC Parks Intermediate and Olympic-sized outdoor pools will be extending their operation by one hour, and stay open until 8 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in response to the heat advisory. Standard pool protocols apply—bring a bathing suit, towel, and lock to secure belongings. More information can be found at nyc.gov/parks/pools.

A citywide map of outdoor cooling options (including spray showers, drinking fountains, and more) can be found online at Cool It! NYC.

During extreme heat, the Department of Social Services (DSS) issues a Code Red Alert. During Code Reds, shelter is available to anyone experiencing homelessness, where those experiencing heat-related discomfort are also able to access a designated cooling area. DSS staff and the agency’s not-for-profit contracted outreach teams who engage with individuals experiencing homelessness 24/7/365 redouble their efforts during extreme heat, with a focus on connecting vulnerable New Yorkers experiencing unsheltered homelessness to services and shelter.

ADDITIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY TIPS FOR PROTECTION AGAINST THE HEAT

Go to an air-conditioned location, even if for a few hours.

Stay out of the sun and avoid extreme temperature changes.

Avoid strenuous activity, especially during the sun’s peak hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m.

Remember: drink water, rest, and locate shade if you are working outdoors or if your work is strenuous. Drink water every 15 minutes even if you are not thirsty, rest in the shade, and watch out for others on your team. Your employer is required to provide water, rest, and shade when work is being done during extreme heat.

Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing when inside without air conditioning or outside.

Drink fluids, particularly water, even if you do not feel thirsty. Your body needs water to keep cool. Those on fluid-restricted diets or taking diuretics should first speak with their doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider. Avoid beverages containing alcohol or caffeine.

Eat small, frequent meals.

Cool down with a cool bath or shower.

Participate in activities that will keep you cool, such as going to the movies, visiting museums, walking in an air-conditioned mall, or swimming at a pool or beach.

Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens and, in apartments where children live, and window guards. Air conditioners in buildings more than six stories must be installed with brackets so they are secured and do not fall on someone below.

Never leave your children or pets in the vehicle, even for a few minutes.

KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS OF HEAT ILLNESS

Call 911 immediately if you or someone you know has:

Hot dry skin.

Trouble breathing.

Rapid heartbeat.

Confusion, disorientation, or dizziness.

Nausea and vomiting.

If you or someone you know feels weak or faint, go to a cool place and drink water. If there is no improvement, call a doctor or 911.

KEEPING YOUR PETS SAFE

Avoid dehydration: Pets can dehydrate quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water.

Walk your dog in the morning and evening: When the temperature is very high, do not let your dog linger on hot asphalt. Your pet’s body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn.

Know when your pet is in danger: Symptoms of overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, unresponsiveness, or even collapse.

IMPROPER FIRE HYDRANT USE

The improper opening of fire hydrants wastes 1,000 gallons of water per minute, causes flooding on city streets, and lowers water pressure to dangerous levels, which hamper the ability of the Fire Department to fight fire safely and quickly.

Use “spray caps” to reduce hydrant output to a safe 25 gallons per minute while still providing relief from the heat. To obtain a spray cap, an adult 18 years or older with proper identification can go to his or her local firehouse and request one.

ENERGY-SAVING TIPS

During periods of intense electrical usage, such as on hot, humid days, it is important to conserve energy as much as possible to avoid brownouts and other electrical disruptions. While diminishing your power usage may seem inconvenient, your cooperation will help to ensure that utility providers are able to provide uninterrupted electrical service to you and your neighbors, particularly those who use electric powered medical equipment or are at risk of heat-related illness and death:

Set your air conditioner to 78°F or “low.”

Run appliances such as ovens, washing machines, dryers and dishwashers in the early morning or late at night when it is cooler outside to reduce heat and moisture in your home.

Close doors to keep cool air in and hot air out when the air conditioner is running.

Keep shades, blinds, and curtains closed. About 40 percent of unwanted heat comes through windows.

Turn off air conditioners, lights, and other appliances when not at home, and use a timer or smart technology to turn on your air conditioner about a half-hour before arriving home. Keep air conditioner filters clean.

If you run a business, keep your door closed while the air conditioner is running.

Tell your utility provider if you or someone you know depend on medical equipment that requires electricity.

For more information, visit NYC.gov/beattheheat. New Yorkers are also encouraged to stay informed by signing up for Notify NYC, the City's free emergency communications program, to receive free emergency alerts and updates in your preferred language and format by visiting NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, calling 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115), following @NotifyNYC on Twitter, or getting the free Notify NYC mobile application for your Apple or Android device.

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