Call 911
Call 911 if someone is experiencing heat exhaustion.

Hot and humid weather during the summer can cause serious illness and in some cases death. Older adults, people with chronic medical condition or mental health conditions, the socially isolated and certain other groups are most vulnerable.

Learn about extreme heat in New York City.

Learn more about extreme heat and your health.

Download the "Beat the Heat Messaging Toolkit" pdf.

  • Use air conditioning or go to a cooling center or another cool place, like a store or mall.
  • Set air conditioning at 78 degrees or low cool to stay comfortable and conserve energy.
  • Drink plenty of water and other non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated liquids, even if you are not thirsty.
  • Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothes that cover as much skin as possible.
  • Avoid sun and strenuous outdoor activity between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
  • Use shades or awnings.
  • Take cool baths or showers.
  • Wear sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher.

Heat exhaustion occurs when body fluids are lost.

Symptoms include:

  • Sweating
  • Pale and clammy skin
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Shallow breaths
  • Weak pulse

If you are organizing a public event, be sure to provide an area with air conditioning or shade, where participants can take a break from the heat to cool off. It is also suggested that you provide water for participants. 

If water or cool shelters are unavailable, it may be advisable to consider cancelling your event. Your safety and your participants' safety are paramount. Understand and seek medical attention if you see the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses.

The National Weather Service issues a heat advisory when the heat index is expected to reach at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit in New York City but less than 105 degrees Fahrenheit, or when nighttime lows are expected to remain above 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

The heat index is a number in degrees Fahrenheit that indicates how hot it feels when relative humidity is added to the actual air temperature. Exposure to direct sunlight can increase the heat index by 15 degrees.

Air Quality Action Days are days when air quality may be unhealthy for people who are sensitive to air pollution. This includes people with heart and lung problems, the elderly, and children.

Get the air quality forecast.

    Air Quality Alerts

    You can sign up to receive daily ozone alerts so you know when air quality may be unhealthy.

    Online

    Sign up for Air Quality Action Day Alerts.

    By Phone

    • Agency: Ozone New York
    • Phone Number: (866) 696-6369
    • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

    Tips

    On Air Quality Action Days, it is recommended that you:

    • Stay indoors and do not exert yourself unnecessarily
    • Limit driving: share a ride, use public transit, or work from home
    • Refuel your car after dark: during the day, pollutants from gas react with sunlight and heat to create ground-level ozone
    • Air condition less: set home air conditioner at a slightly higher temperature than normal to save energy and decrease pollution
    • Don't mow lawns
    • Delay home improvement: painting and spraying aerosol products add harmful vapors to indoor and outdoor air

    You can learn more about air quality, pollution, and how to stay healthy on Air Quality Action Days online or by phone.

    Online

    Learn more about Air Quality Action Days.

    By Phone

    • Agency: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
    • Division: Air Quality Hotline
    • Phone Number: (800) 535-1345
    • Business Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week

    Summer heat can mean an increase in electricity use which not only means higher electricity bills but also risk of outages and loss of air-conditioning.

    New Yorkers are encouraged to conserve energy, especially during heatwaves. The goal is to prevent overloading the power grids to ensure New Yorkers and their neighbors have reliable electricity service. 

    Here are tips to conserve energy on the hottest days:

    • Set the air conditioner thermostat no lower than 78 degrees
    • Only use an air conditioner when home. To cool a room before arriving home, set a timer to have it switch on no more than one-half hour before arrival
    • Turn off all non-essential appliances/electronics
    • Reduce indoor lighting
    • Only use appliances that have heavy electrical loads (dishwashers, washers, dryers) when they are full, early in the morning or very late at night

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