Information from the New York Disaster Interfaith Services

Cooling centers will open across the city Wednesday 7/17 through Sunday 7/21. To find the nearest cooling center call 311 or visit NYC.gov/beattheheat beginning 8 a.m. Wednesday People who do not have or use air conditioning and have certain risk factors are more likely to suffer heat-related illness and death 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 NYC Cooling Center Finder at NYC.gov/beattheheat beginning 8 a.m. Wednesday.

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.

The New York City Emergency Management Department and the Health Department urge New Yorkers to take steps to protect themselves and help others who may be at increased risk from the heat. People at risk are those who do not have access to air conditioning and: Have chronic medical, mental health, cognitive or developmental conditions. Take certain medicines that can affect body temperature. Have limited mobility or are unable to leave their homes. Are obese. Misuse alcohol or drugs. Some New Yorkers are at greater risk when it is hot than others. Older adults are more likely than younger New Yorkers to have some combination of the risk factors described above. In addition, as people get older, their ability to maintain a safe body temperature declines —resulting in an increased risk for heat-related illness. African Americans are twice as likely to die from heatstroke compared to Whites due in part to social and economic disparities, including access to air conditioning.

HEALTH AND SAFETY TIPS FOR PROTECTION AGAINST THE HEAT: 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 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you must do 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. 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 you are not thirsty, rest in the shade, and watch out for others on your team. Your employer is required to provide water, rest, and shade when work is being done during extreme heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing when inside without air conditioning or outside.

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 speak with their doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider. Avoid beverages containing alcohol or caffeine. Eat small, frequent meals. Cool down with a cool bath or shower.

Participate in activities that will keep you cool, such as going to the movies, shopping at a mall, or swimming at a pool or beach. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. The NYC Parks Department has free swimming lessons for kids and adults.

Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens and, in apartments where children live, window guards. Window guards can prevent children from falling out of a window and suffering serious injuries or even death. Screens keep mosquitoes that can spread West Nile Virus out of your home and keep cats from falling out of windows.

Never leave your children or pets in the vehicle, even for a few minutes. Check on your neighbors during a heat wave, especially if they are seniors, young children, and people with disabilities and access and functional needs.

KEEPING YOUR PETS SAFE: Never leave pets in the car. Temperatures rise quickly even with the windows down and can be deadly for your pet. Call 911 if you see a pet or child in a hot car. Be sure your pets have access to plenty of water, especially when it is hot. Make sure your pet has plenty of shady places to go when outdoors. Avoid exercising with your pet outside on extremely hot days. Be sure your pet or service animal has plenty of food and water.

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.

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 utilities 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 “low.” 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.

New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency communications program. To sign up for Notify NYC, download the free mobile application, visit NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, call 311, or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.

:: NATIONAL DISASTER INTERFAITHS NETWORK TIP SHEET FAITH COMMUNITIES & HOT WEATHER HAZARDS

Hot weather can overwhelm the energy output of both your congregation and your house of worship. As a religious leader, you can help your congregation and community prepare for the hazards of a heatwave by providing information on how to cope with the heat, attending to the particular needs of vulnerable persons, and offering your house of worship as a "cooling center."