Press Release

#19-25

CITY OFFICIALS URGE NEW YORKERS TO STAY SAFE DURING TUESDAY’S HEAT ADVISORY

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory from 10 A.M. until 8 P.M. Tuesday, July 8

Cooling centers will be open across the city

To find the nearest location, including hours of operation, call 311 or visit the City’s Cool Options Finder

New Yorkers Encouraged to Seek Air-Conditioned Cool Options, including public spaces like NYC Cooling Centers, or private Cool Options like the homes of friends or family

July 7, 2025 — The New York City Emergency Management Department and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene advise New Yorkers to take precautions to beat the heat. The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory from 10 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Tuesday, July 8. Hot and humid conditions are in the forecast with heat index values expected to approach or exceed 100°F, especially in the early afternoon. Showers and thunderstorms are also forecast, with the risk of heavy downpours and localized flash flooding during the afternoon and evening. Rainfall totals could reach one to two inches, with higher amounts possible in some areas. New Yorkers should use caution during the evening commute and avoid driving through flooded streets.

“With dangerously high temperatures forecasted for tomorrow, we are urging all New Yorkers to take this heat seriously,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “Our teams are activating Cooling Centers across the city, conducting outreach to our most vulnerable residents, and making sure every resource is in place to keep people safe. We’re asking all New Yorkers to stay hydrated, limit time outdoors, and head to a Cooling Center if needed, and don’t forget to check in on older neighbors and family members. New York City has your back — together, we’ll get through this safely.”

“New York City is fully prepared for this heat, and we are focused on keeping people safe,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. “NYC Cooling Centers will be open, outreach teams are on the ground, and emergency plans are in place, but safety also depends on personal action. Use air conditioning or go to a NYC Cooling Center. Check on neighbors, friends, and family who may need help. Conserve energy by setting your air conditioner to a reasonable temperature and limiting appliance use during peak hours. These steps will help protect your health and keep the city running safely.”

New Yorkers are urged 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. 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.

NYC Emergency Management has activated the City’s Heat Emergency Plan in response to this extreme heat event. The plan brings together agencies across the city to protect New Yorkers from heat-related risks. Key actions include opening NYC Cooling Centers, expanding outreach to people experiencing homelessness, increasing public information efforts, and monitoring health impacts in real time. Agencies are also identifying and assisting residents at highest risk, including older adults and people with chronic health conditions, through coordinated outreach and targeted alerts using the City’s Advanced Warning System (AWS). The plan also strengthens coordination with utilities, healthcare providers, and community organizations to reduce risks and protect public health during extreme heat.

To help New Yorkers find relief from the heat, New York City Cooling Centers will be open 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 Cool Options Map. New Yorkers can now also find cooling centers that welcome pets throughout the five boroughs. As a reminder, service animals are always allowed at cooling centers. The map is now available around the clock and allows New Yorkers to easily locate cooling centers, which the City opens during heat emergencies, and Cool Options, which include free spaces that offer air-conditioned spaces to escape the heat.

New Yorkers can access a range of outdoor cooling options, including spray showers, drinking fountains, and more. These resources can be found online at Cool It! NYC. Many of these resources are located in neighborhoods across New York City. NYC Parks’ outdoor Olympic and Intermediate-sized pools will stay open an extra hour, with swimming available from 11AM-3PM and 4PM-8PM. Many of these resources are located in neighborhoods across New York City. New York City outdoor pools are open 11AM-7PM. State Parks, including Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park pool and Roberto Clemente State Park pool are open, call ahead to confirm.

During extreme weather emergencies, DHS outreach teams intensify around-the-clock efforts across the five boroughs, implementing best practices and health guidance as they engage New Yorkers experiencing unsheltered homelessness while encouraging them to access shelter and cooler settings. As part of these enhanced outreach efforts, DHS and provider outreach teams also offer water and other essentials while prioritizing the health and safety of vulnerable New Yorkers who are known to them. New Yorkers who see individuals they believe to be experiencing homelessness and in need should contact 311 via phone or mobile app and request outreach assistance.

ADDITIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY TIPS DURING EXTREME HEAT

Those most vulnerable to heat stress include adults aged 60 and older, and people with health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, mental health conditions, or people with cognitive impairment. Check on people who are at-risk and help them find a cool place to stay during heat events.
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: 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4:00 AM and 7:00 AM.
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 not thirsty (avoid beverages containing alcohol or caffeine), rest in the shade, and watch out for others on outdoor teams.
Eat small, frequent meals.
Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
Participate in activities to keep cool, such as going to the movies, visiting museums, walking in an air-conditioned mall, or swimming at an outdoor pool or beach.
Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens and, in apartments where children live, window guards. Air conditioners in buildings more than six stories must be installed with brackets so they are secured and cannot fall on someone below.
Never leave a child or pets in the vehicle, even for a few minutes.

WORKING SAFELY IN EXTREME HEAT

If working outdoors during extreme heat:

Employers must provide water, rest, and shade.
Use the buddy system to watch for signs of heat illness in yourself and coworkers.
Drink water every 15 to 20 minutes, even if you are not thirsty, and take regular breaks in shaded or cool areas.
Reschedule or limit strenuous work during peak heat hours (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
Wear light, loose-fitting clothing to help stay cool.
Apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher and reapply as needed.

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

Improperly opened fire hydrants waste over 1,000 gallons of water per minute and lower pressure needed to fight fires. New Yorkers who want to cool off in fire hydrants are asked to use a city-issued spray cap to reduce output to 25 gallons per minute. Residents 18 and older can request a spray cap at their local firehouse.

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 the highest healthy comfortable temperature.
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.

AIR QUALITY

New York City continues to monitor regional air quality and Canadian wildfire conditions that could affect the city. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York State Department of Health issue Air Quality Health Advisories when conditions may pose health risks. During poor air quality, limit outdoor activities, wear a mask if needed, and check AirNow.gov for current air quality readings. Visit nyc.gov/airquality for guidance and recommendations.

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 texting NotifyNYC to 692-692, 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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