Summer heat is not just uncomfortable in New York City — it’s deadly. According to the NYC Office of Emergency Management, more than 500 New Yorkers died prematurely last year from preventable heat illness. As June begins and the city enters its hottest months, having a heat safety plan is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and the people you care about.
New York City already activated its Heat Emergency Plan in mid-May when Mayor Zohran Mamdani and NYC Emergency Management (NYCEM) opened cooling centers citywide ahead of a heat advisory with heat index forecasts reaching as high as 96 degrees in parts of the Bronx, northern Manhattan, and Staten Island. That first activation of the summer was a reminder that heat events can arrive before you’re ready.
Here’s everything you need to know before the next one hits.
Who This Helps
Older adults living alone, people without air conditioning, renters in older buildings that retain heat, anyone with chronic health conditions like heart disease or asthma, outdoor workers, and the people who care for them. Heat illness disproportionately affects people who can’t access air conditioning — knowing the free options available to every New Yorker can be life-saving.
Find a Cooling Center: Free, Open to Everyone
During a heat emergency, the City opens cooling centers across all five boroughs — libraries, community centers, senior centers, and other public buildings with air conditioning. They’re free, open to all New Yorkers regardless of immigration status, and service animals are always permitted. Pet-friendly locations are also available.
Cooling center locations can change from year to year. The only reliable way to find current hours and locations is through official City sources:
- Cool Options Finder: finder.nyc.gov/coolingcenters — a live map of open cooling centers and other outdoor cooling resources
- Call 311 — ask “Is a cooling center open near me?” and give your address (212-639-9675 for Video Relay; TTY: 212-504-4115)
- NYC Parks Cool It! NYC map: nycgovparks.org — shows outdoor spray showers, drinking fountains, and shade features near you
The City also has a free air conditioner program for income-eligible New Yorkers through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). Call 311 and ask about HEAP cooling assistance to check eligibility and apply.
Sign Up for Notify NYC: Free Emergency Alerts
One of the single most useful things you can do right now — before the next heat emergency — is sign up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency communications program. It’s how the City alerts you when a heat emergency is declared, cooling centers open, or other urgent situations develop. Alerts are available in 14 languages.
How to sign up:
- Text: Text “NotifyNYC” to 692-692
- Online: a858-nycnotify.nyc.gov/notifynyc/
- Phone: Call 311 and ask to sign up for Notify NYC
- App: Download the free Notify NYC app for iPhone or Android
- Twitter/X: Follow @NotifyNYC (language-specific accounts available for Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Bengali, French, Korean, and others)
Recognize the Signs of Heat Illness
Knowing the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke can save a life — including your own.
Heat Stroke: Call 911 Immediately
Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Call 911 or go to an emergency room if you or someone nearby has:
- Hot, dry skin (no sweating)
- Confusion, disorientation, or hallucinations
- Loss of consciousness or unresponsiveness
- Trouble breathing or a fast, strong pulse
- Nausea or vomiting
Do not wait. Heat stroke can be fatal and requires immediate emergency care.
Heat Exhaustion: Get Somewhere Cool Now
Heat exhaustion is less severe but must be treated immediately by getting the person to a cool environment, removing excess clothing, and providing water. Signs include:
- Heavy sweating with cold, clammy skin
- Muscle cramps
- Lightheadedness or feeling faint
- Headache or nausea
- Decreased energy or loss of appetite
Protect Yourself: What to Do When It’s Hot
The NYC Office of Emergency Management, NYCEM Commissioner Christina Farrell, and NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin issued this guidance during May’s heat event:
Indoors:
- Air conditioning is the most effective protection. Set it to 78°F or “low cool” to stay safe while saving energy
- Close window shades and curtains to block direct sun
- Avoid using the stove or oven during peak heat hours
- Take cool (not ice-cold) showers or baths
- Drink water regularly, even if you’re not thirsty. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and sugary drinks
- A fan alone is not enough during extreme heat — seek air conditioning
Outdoors:
- Limit activity to early morning and late evening
- Stay in the shade, wear light and loose-fitting clothing, and use sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher)
- Drink water every 15 minutes if you work outdoors
- Watch for signs of heat illness in yourself and coworkers
Check on Your Neighbors
In New York City, most heat-related deaths occur indoors — in apartments without air conditioning, often among older adults living alone. If you know an elderly neighbor, someone with a chronic health condition, or anyone without reliable air conditioning, check in during heat emergencies. A knock on the door or a phone call can save a life.
If you’re a senior or caregiver and need outreach support during a heat emergency, call 311 and ask to be connected to the NYC Department for the Aging (DFTA). Local precinct Crime Prevention Officers — who also serve as Older Adult Liaisons — can connect older adults to city programs and resources. Find your precinct’s Older Adult Liaison at nyc.gov/site/nypd/bureaus/administrative/crime-prevention.page.
If you see someone experiencing homelessness who may be in distress during the heat, call 311 and request outreach services. The Department of Homeless Services (DHS) deploys outreach teams across all five boroughs during heat emergencies.
Fire Hydrants and Water Safety
Opening a fire hydrant without a spray cap wastes 1,000 gallons of water per minute, causes street flooding, lowers water pressure, and can hamper FDNY’s ability to fight fires. A properly installed spray cap reduces output to a safe 25 gallons per minute while still providing cooling relief.
Adults 18 and older with a valid ID can request a free spray cap from their local firehouse. The FDNY installs spray caps on hydrants along certain NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) Open Streets during heat advisories — look for “Cool Streets” designations in your neighborhood.
Protect Your Pets
- Never leave pets or children in a car — temperatures rise rapidly even with windows cracked. Call 911 if you see a child or animal in a hot car
- Make sure pets have access to fresh water and shade
- Avoid walking dogs on hot pavement during peak hours — if the pavement is too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for their paws
Power Outages During Heat: Be Prepared
Extreme heat increases electricity demand and can trigger outages. To reduce your risk:
- Set AC to 78°F, not lower — every degree counts during peak demand hours
- Turn off nonessential appliances
- If you rely on electric medical equipment (respirator, dialysis machine), register with your utility as a life-sustaining equipment (LSE) customer so you’re contacted during emergencies. Call Con Edison at 800-752-6633 or PSEG Long Island at 800-490-0025.
- If you lose power, report it to your utility immediately and call 311
How to Take Action: Heat Safety Quick Reference
- Find a cooling center now: finder.nyc.gov/coolingcenters or call 311
- Sign up for emergency alerts: Text “NotifyNYC” to 692-692 or visit a858-nycnotify.nyc.gov/notifynyc/
- Request a hydrant spray cap: Visit your local firehouse with valid ID
- Free AC assistance (HEAP): Call 311 and ask about energy assistance
- Heat emergency info: nyc.gov/beattheheat
- Heat stroke emergency: Call 911
- Con Edison outage reporting: 800-752-6633
Also see: How to stay active safely in NYC parks this June — tips for outdoor fitness when temperatures climb.
Sources: NYC Office of Emergency Management (nyc.gov/site/em/ready/extreme-heat.page), NYC Mayor’s Office press release dated May 18, 2026, NYC Department of Environmental Protection, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Contact your healthcare provider for medical advice specific to your situation.
