Press Release

#25-25

CITY OFFICIALS URGE NEW YORKERS TO STAY SAFE DURING EXTREME HEAT

Cooling Centers Will be Open Across Five Boroughs

Call 311 or Visit City's Cool Options Finder to Find Nearest Cooling Center Location, Hours

New Yorkers Encouraged to Seek Air-Conditioned Cool Options, Including Public Spaces Like NYC Cooling Centers, or Private Cool Options Such as Homes of Friends or Family

NEW YORK — New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) are urging New Yorkers to take precautions ahead of hot and humid weather. Heat index values on Friday are forecast to reach levels near 105°F. An Air Quality Health Alert has also been issued with a forecasted Air Quality Index of 101 - Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. Scattered severe thunderstorms are possible Friday afternoon through Friday night. The main threat is damaging wind gusts, which can down trees, power lines, and unsecured objects. Residents should secure outdoor items and stay indoors during storms. There is also a minor but localized risk of flash flooding. City agencies are actively coordinating to monitor conditions and respond as needed.

“As we prepare for another day of intense heat, our city is preparing all New Yorkers to meet the moment,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “We are deploying every tool and resource available to keep New Yorkers safe — from cooling centers and targeted outreach to coordinated emergency response. But we can’t do it alone; we need every New Yorker to make a plan to stay cool and hydrated, limit outdoor activity during peak heat hours, conserve energy where possible, and look out for one another.”

“With our fourth heat emergency of the season underway, New Yorkers must continue to look out for one another,” said NYCEM Commissioner Zach Iscol. “As temperatures soar to nearly 100 degrees on Friday, we urge all New Yorkers to take the heat seriously. Stay hydrated, avoid strenuous outdoor activities, and most importantly, find places in your neighborhood to cool down, so you and your family avoid the dangerous consequences of heat illness.”

“As the summer heats up, New Yorkers face a silent risk — extreme heat,” said DOHMH Acting Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse. "Each year, over 500 lives are lost to extreme heat. If you don’t have air conditioning at home, we encourage you to take advantage of a Cooling Center, a library, or a shopping mall to stay safe. If you plan to be outside, stay in the shade, drink plenty of water, and take as many breaks as you need. And please check in on your neighbors and loved ones, especially if they’re older. A quick call or visit could save a life.”

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 NYCEM’s Beat The Heat website. 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.

NYCEM 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 New York City 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. 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, 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. New York City outdoor pools are open. 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, New York City Department of Homeless Services (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 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. If strenuous activity is necessary, New Yorkers should conduct 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 working outdoors or if 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 not thirsty, and take regular breaks in shaded or cool areas.
Reschedule or limit strenuous work during peak heat hours (11:00 AM to 4:00 PM).
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

New Yorkers should call 911 immediately if they or someone they know has:

Hot dry skin.
Trouble breathing.
Rapid heartbeat.
Confusion, disorientation, or dizziness.
Nausea and vomiting.

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

Keeping Pets Safe

Avoid dehydration: Pets can dehydrate quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water.
Walk dogs in the morning and evening: When the temperature is very high, do not let dogs linger on hot asphalt. A pet’s body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn.
Know when a 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 power usage may seem inconvenient, cooperation will help to ensure that utility providers are able to provide uninterrupted electrical service to New Yorkers, particularly to those who use electric powered medical equipment or are at risk of heat-related illness and death:

Set 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 the 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 an air conditioner about a half-hour before arriving home. Keep air conditioner filters clean.
If running a business, keep door closed while the air conditioner is running.
Tell utility providers if someone in the home depends 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 the city's air quality page for guidance and recommendations.

For more information, visit NYCEM’s Beat the Heat page. 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 preferred language and format by texting NotifyNYC to 692-692, visiting the Notify NYC page, calling 311 (212-639-9675 for Video Relay Service, or TTY: 212-504-4115), following @NotifyNYC on X, or getting the free Notify NYC mobile application for Apple or Android devices.

MEDIA CONTACT: NYCEM Press Office (718) 422-4888

STAY CONNECTED: @NotifyNYC (emergency notifications), @nycemergencymgt (emergency preparedness info)