New York City (WABC) — New York City Emergency Management and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene are advising New Yorkers to take precautions against the heat.
The weather is expected to be hot and humid on Thursday, with the city’s high temperature index value in the 90s.
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To help New Yorkers beat the heat, the city will open cooling centers in five boroughs. Cooling center locations may have changed from last year. To find a cooling center, including the nearest accessible facility, call 311 (Video Relay Service: 212-639-9675, TTY: 212-504-4115) or visit the City Cooling Center Finder (finder.nyc.gov /coolingcenters) ).
The City will open cooling centers when the Heat Index is expected to reach 95 degrees or above for two consecutive days or more, or when the Heat Index is expected to reach 100 degrees or above for any period of time. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, if an individual is feeling unwell or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, please stay home.
New Yorkers can also now find pet-friendly cooling centers in the five boroughs. The City is also partnering with Petco to provide additional space for New Yorkers and their pets to escape the heat. All locations can be found in the Urban Cooling Center Finder. Please note that service animals are always allowed in the Cooling Center.
“With the hot weather in the last few days of summer, I urge all New Yorkers to follow public health guidance and take care of each other,” said New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. And anyone with a chronic medical condition is at greater risk, and we must all take steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones.”
“The heat can be deadly,” health commissioner Dr Ashwin Vasan said. “New Yorkers, especially infants, older adults, and those with chronic and mental health issues, should remain calm, take their time, and seek help if symptoms of heat-related illness such as clammy skin, confusion, and nausea occur. Pay attention to the way you behave” I feel this way because the guidance you get from your body is important; please listen. “
In New York City, most heat-related deaths occur in homes exposed to heat without air conditioning. Air conditioning is the best way to stay safe and healthy when it’s hot outside, but some people who are at risk of heat stroke don’t or don’t have it turned on. New York City Emergency Management and the Department of Health are urging New Yorkers to take steps to protect themselves and help others who may be at risk from the heat. For more information, including heat-related health tips and heatstroke warning signs, visit nyc.gov/health or nyc.gov/beattheheat.
Outdoor pools in New York City will remain open on their normal schedule. Standard pool protocols apply – please bring a swimsuit, towel and lock to keep belongings safe. The pool is open 7 days a week, 11am to 3pm and 4pm to 7pm. Visit nyc.gov/parks/pools for more information.
You can find a citywide map of outdoor cooling options (including mist showers, drinking fountains, and more) online at the Cool It! website. New York.
During periods of extreme heat, the Department of Social Services (DSS) issues a red alert. During code red, anyone experiencing homelessness can use a shelter, and those who are unwell from the heat can also enter designated cooling areas. DSS staff and the agency’s nonprofit contract outreach team engage with the homeless 24/7/365, doubling down on efforts to focus on serving and sheltering vulnerable New Yorkers experiencing homelessness Place.
Additional health and safety tips for preventing heatstroke
– Go somewhere with air conditioning, even for a few hours.
– Keep out of sunlight and avoid extreme temperature changes.
– Avoid strenuous activity, especially during the sun’s strongest hours: 11am-4pm If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, usually 4am-7am
– REMEMBER: If you are working outdoors or working hard, drink water, rest and find shade. Even if you’re not thirsty, drink water every 15 minutes, take breaks in the shade, and keep an eye on others in your group. When working during extreme heat, your employer must provide water, rest and shade.
– Wear light, light-colored clothing when indoors or outdoors without air conditioning.
– Drink fluids, especially water, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Your body needs water to stay cool. People on liquid-restricted diets or taking diuretics should first consult with a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. Avoid drinks that contain alcohol or caffeine.
– Eat small, frequent meals.
-Cool down with a cold bath or shower.
– Engage in activities that keep you cool, such as watching a movie, taking a walk in an air-conditioned mall, or swimming in a pool or beach.
– Make sure that doors and windows have tightly fitting screens and, in apartments where children live, window grilles. Air conditioners in buildings over six storeys must have brackets installed to ensure they are secured and cannot fall on people below.
– Never leave your children or pets in the car, even for a few minutes.
Know the Warning Signs of Heatstroke
Call 911 immediately if you or someone you know:
– Dry and hot skin.
– Difficulty breathing.
– Heartbeat.
– Confusion, disorientation, or dizziness.
– Nausea and vomiting.
If you or someone you know feels weak or faints, get a cool place to drink water. If the condition does not improve, call your doctor or dial 911.
Keep Your Pets Safe
– Avoid Dehydration: Pets can dehydrate quickly, so provide them with plenty of fresh, clean water.
– Morning and evening dog walks: Don’t let your dog linger on hot asphalt when the temperature is high. A pet’s body can heat up quickly and sensitive paw pads can be burned.
– Know when your pet is at risk: Symptoms of overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and breathing rates, drooling, mild weakness, unresponsiveness, and even collapse.
Improper use of fire hydrant
Improper opening of fire hydrants can waste 1,000 gallons of water per minute, flood city streets and reduce water pressure to dangerous levels, hampering fire departments’ ability to safely and quickly fight fires.
Use a “spray cap” to reduce hydrant output to a safe 25 gallons per minute while still relieving the heat. To obtain a spray cap, adults over the age of 18 with proper identification may go to their local fire station.
energy saving tips
During times of high electricity use, such as on hot, humid days, it’s important to conserve energy as much as possible to avoid blackouts and other power interruptions. While reducing electricity usage may seem inconvenient, your cooperation will help ensure that utility providers can provide uninterrupted electrical service to you and your neighbors, especially those who use electric medical equipment or face heat-related People at risk of disease and death:
– Set the air conditioner temperature to 78 degrees Fahrenheit or “low”.
– Reduce heat and humidity in your home by running appliances such as ovens, washers, dryers, and dishwashers early in the morning or late at night when outside temperatures are cooler.
– When the air conditioner is running, close the door to keep cool air in and hot air out.
– Keep shutters, blinds and curtains closed. About 40% of excess heat comes from windows.
– Turn off the air conditioner, lights, and other appliances when you are not home, and use a timer or smart technology to turn the air conditioner on about half an hour before arriving home. Keep air conditioner filters clean.
– If you run a business, keep the door closed when the air conditioner is running.
– Tell your utility provider if you or someone you know relies on medical equipment that requires electricity.
For more information, visit nyc.gov/beattheheat. We also encourage New Yorkers to stay informed by signing up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency communications program, by visiting NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, by calling 311 (212-639-9675 for video relay service, or TTY: 212- 504-4115), follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter, or get the free Notify NYC mobile app for your Apple or Android device.
(Information via NYC press release)
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