• If possible, stay out of the sun. When in the sun, wear sunscreen (at least SPF 15) and a hat to protect your face and head.
• To prevent sunburn, wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing that covers as much of your skin as possible.
• 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 consult their physician.)
• Water is the safest liquid to drink during heat emergencies. Avoid beverages containing alcohol or caffeine.
• Eat small, frequent meals. Avoid high-protein foods.
• Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.
• Avoid strenuous activity, especially during the sun’s peak hours – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you must engage in 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.
• Consider going to public pools and air-conditioned stores, malls or movie theaters.
• Cool down with repeated cool baths or showers.
• Never take a shower immediately after becoming overheated – you may cool down too quickly and become ill, nauseous or dizzy.
• Never leave children, seniors or pets in a parked car during periods of intense summer heat.

• Set your air conditioner thermostat no lower than 78 degrees.
• Only use the air conditioner when you are home. If you want to cool your home before you return, set a timer to have it switch on no more than a half-hour before you arrive.
• Turn non-essential appliances off.
• Only use appliances that have heavy electrical loads early in the morning or very late at night

• Repair leaky faucets; turn taps off tightly.
• Take short showers; only fill bathtubs halfway when taking a bath. 
• Run dishwasher and washing machines only when they are full.
• Do not let water run while washing dishes, shaving or brushing your teeth.
• Observe restrictions on watering your lawn or plants.

• Opening fire hydrants without spray caps is wasteful and dangerous.  High water pressure can push people – especially children – into oncoming traffic, which can lead to injury. 
• An open hydrant wastes 1,000 gallons of water per minute, and causes flooding on City streets. 
• It also places the lives of citizens and firefighters at risk by lowering water pressure to dangerous levels and hampering the ability to fight fire safely and quickly.
• Report open hydrants to the Department of Environmental Protection by calling 311 (TTY: 212-504-4115) or log on to NYC.gov/dep for more information.
• Residents may request spray caps by calling their local firehouse.