Learn what steps you can take to prevent heat exposure.
Sources: Georgetown University, Mayor's Office of Climate and Environmental Justice
Find out great ways to stay cool!
New York City Emergency Management’s Community Emergency Planning toolkit is full of guidance that community-based and faith-based organizations can use before, during, and after disasters, as well as other resources.
NotifyNYC, New York City’s dedicated emergency public communications program, uses e-mails, text messages, tweets, and phone calls to quickly provide residents with localized emergency information. Enroll in Notify NYC.
In addition to Notify NYC, your Sunnyside and Woodside neighbors volunteer to call you when temperatures get too hot! This is not a replacement for Notify NYC, but a bonus. See the Phone Tree tab.
An important part of building social resilience is advocating for the needs of your community members. Don’t forget to reach out to your elected officials about indoor or outdoor cooling, or anything else!
Access programs to subsidized the cost of an air-conditioning unit and the energy it consumes:
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps eligible New Yorkers receive free air conditioners during the summer months. Applications typically open around May each year.
The NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA) and NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) offers Cooling Assistance Benefit, which covers the full cost of one air conditioner or fan per household, including installation, materials, labor, and removal of your old unit.
Essential Plan Cooling Program is geared toward consumers with health conditions that are made worse by extreme heat. Environmental factors such as extreme heat, allergens, and poor air quality can significantly worsen certain symptoms and air conditioning helps keep air cool and clean.
The NYC Cool Options map allows people to find cooling center locations as well as other air-conditioned spaces.
See our Heat Safe Locations tab for more sites.
While air-conditioned indoor spaces are best, staying outside in green areas where its cooler than pavement can be a good option. If you don't have access to airconditioned indoor spaces and you need to be outside:
Seek shaded areas in parks
Access public water features
The Fire Department allows community members to request spray caps for fire hydrants in their neighborhoods so they can cool off without wasting water (which can happen when they’re opened without spray caps).
See our Heat Safe Locations tab for more sites.
Learn more about Hot Weather and Your Health with information from DOHMH about who is at risk, how to recognize heat illness, and how to stay safe.
Monitor the heat index. The heat index is a measure of how hot it feels outside, based on temperature and humidity. Monitor the forecast via TV, radio, or apps such as the HeatRisk Forecast or the OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool. Pay close attention to heat advisories. Consider limiting outdoor activity during high heat index days.
Know your personal risk factors, such as age, pregnancy, chronic conditions or medications. Talk to your doctor about precautions you can take.
Plan your time outside wisely:
Plan your outdoor activities early in the day, while temperatures are cooler.
Limit time outdoors (duration and timing) and stay in cool, shaded areas, or indoors, as much as possible.
Hydrate before you will be outdoors in the heat. Drink water frequently throughout the day, before you get thirsty (do not exceed 6 8-ounce cups – or a total of 48 ounces – per hour). A sports drink can help replenish salts and minerals lost while sweating. Avoid drinking alcohol and sugary drinks.
Wear lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothes; wear a hat when outdoors.
Use broad-spectrum sunscreen when spending time outside to prevent sunburn.
Never leave young children and pets unattended in vehicles. Car interiors can reach deadly temperatures in a matter of minutes during hot or warm weather.
Keep in mind that alcohol and some prescription and recreational drugs can worsen the effect of heat.
Know where your cooling centers are, you may need to use them if the power goes out in your home.