Heat Safety & Emergency Resources 

Extreme Heat Safety Videos

The American Red Cross has provided these helpful video guides on how to prepare for and stay safe during dangerous heat. Click the links below to watch:

• Disaster Preparedness: Extreme Heat (English Video)

• Disaster Preparedness: Extreme Heat (Spanish Video / En Español)

• Disaster Preparedness: Extreme Heat (American Sign Language Video)

• How to Stay Safe in Extreme Heat: Tips from the American Red Cross

Official NYC Resources & Emergency Alerts

• Find an NYC Cooling Center: If you do not have air conditioning at home, the City opens free air-conditioned cooling centers during heat emergencies. You can find the nearest location by using the official NYC Cooling Center Finder or by calling 3-1-1 (TTY: 212-504-4115). Please call specific locations ahead of time to confirm their holiday weekend hours.

• Sign up for Notify NYC: Get free, real-time emergency alerts directly from the City in 14 different languages (including ASL).

  • To sign up via text: Text notifynyc to 692-692

  • To sign up online: Visit NYC.gov/notify

• Find a "Cool Street" or Shaded Park: Look at the NYC Parks’ Cool It! NYC map online to find local shaded areas, fountains, and misting stations.

• Beat the Heat Link

Keeping Safe Indoors and Outdoors

Inside Your Home

• Do NOT rely solely on fans: If your home reaches above 90°F, fans create a false sense of comfort and will not prevent heat illness.

• Smart AC settings: If you have air conditioning, set it to 78°F or "low cool." This keeps you safe and comfortable while conserving the city's power grid.

• Block out heat: Keep your curtains or blinds closed to block out the sun, and avoid using your stove or oven.

• Cool down quickly: Take a cool bath or shower (not freezing cold), or place a cool, damp cloth on your wrists, neck, or underarms.

If You Must Go Outdoors

• Limit your hours: Stay indoors during the midday heat. Restrict necessary outdoor activities to the early morning or late evening.

• Dress for the weather: Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothes, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher).

• Take breaks: If you are walking or working outside, drink water every 15 minutes and take frequent rest breaks in shaded areas.

Hydration & Medications

• Drink constantly: Drink plenty of water even if you do not feel thirsty.

• Avoid certain drinks: Stay away from alcohol, caffeine, or heavily sugary drinks, which dehydrate you faster.

• Medication safety: Many routine medications can make you more sensitive to heat or cause dehydration. Speak with your doctor, and make sure any medications that require refrigeration are stored properly.

Look Out for Each Other (The Buddy System)

Older adults and individuals with chronic medical conditions (like asthma or heart disease) are at the highest risk during heatwaves.

• Be a Buddy: Please call or text friends, neighbors, or relatives at least twice a day to make sure they are staying cool.

• Protect Pets and Service Animals: Never leave an animal in a parked car—it can be fatal within minutes. Ensure your animals have plenty of fresh water, shade, and avoid walking them on hot asphalt, which can burn their paws.

Know the Warning Signs of Heat Illness

• Heat Exhaustion: Heavy sweating, cold/clammy skin, dizziness, headache, weakness, muscle cramps, or nausea.

  • What to do: Move to a cool or air-conditioned place, loosen your clothes, apply cool wet cloths, and sip water.

• Heat Stroke (Medical Emergency): High body temperature (above 103°F), hot or dry skin (with or without sweating), confusion, trouble breathing, fast pulse, or vomiting.

  • What to do: Call 9-1-1 immediately. Move the person to a cooler area while waiting for emergency responders.