Here's what you need to know as the HOT week continues
NEW YORK (WABC) -- You don't have to be a meteorologist to know that it's dangerously hot outside, and officials are urging residents to take precautions during the heat wave that is gripping the Tri-State Area.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is urging New Yorkers to hydrate and check on vulnerable neighbors like the elderly and those with medical conditions. Cooling centers are open across the area, and many municipalities are extending public pool hours.
On Thursday, temperatures were expected to rise to 90, meaning that there would be three consecutive days of 90-degree heat -- an official heat wave. Thunderstorms also were expected later Thursday afternoon, causing temperatures to decrease.
De Blasio also urged New Yorkers to use their air conditioners in moderation for fear of putting a strain on the city's electrical grid. City officials said that there had been a slight uptick in calls to 911 during the heat wave, which began Tuesday, with temperatures predicted to stay above 90 degrees for the remainder of the week.
"Everyone has got to conserve energy," de Blasio said. "The reason you are not in as cool air-conditioned comfort as you might like right now is that we've changed the thermostats to 78 degrees here at City Hall. And we'll be doing that at other city buildings as well."
There are major concerns about the heavy demand for power, and Con Edison has extra engineers operators and dispatchers at work inside control centers to monitor usage and assess information as it pours in.
"These are days we prepare for all year round," Con Ed spokesman Mike Clendenin said. "During winter, fall, spring, we are putting money in the ground getting ready for days like this."
Most of the area if facing real-feel temperatures in the triple digits, and that's especially true in New Jersey, where the heat index could reach 105 degrees.
The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory through 8 p.m. Thursday.
One way to beat the heat is to hit one of the area beaches, where kids and adults are like can get soaking wet and have it not be from sweat. And that's all that matters on a days like these, because if the heat has you flipping out, there's just no better place to be.
"No better way than staying cool at the beach," Seaford resident Rory Black said.
But officials say be careful if you want to hit the boardwalk. It's so hot that it's dangerous to walk barefoot.
For more information in New York on coping with the heat, visit NYC.gov/BeatTheHeat, or view NYC Emergency Management's Beat the Heat video. New Yorkers are also encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the City's free emergency notification system.
Through Notify NYC, New Yorkers can receive phone calls, text messages, and/or emails alerts about traffic and transit disruptions and other emergencies. To sign up for Notify NYC, call 311, visit NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, or follow @NotifyNYC on Twitter.
From the New York City mayor's office, some tips on staying safe and cool:
COOLING CENTERS:
In New York City:
For centers in the five boroughs, call 311 or go to NYC.gov/OEM to find the nearest center, including accessible facilities.
New York City is also extending hours at City pools on Tuesday and Wednesday to 8:00 pm. Visit NYC.gov/parks to find the nearest pool.
In Yonkers, the following are open to the public:
Peter Chema Center
435 Riverdale Avenue
Yonkers
10:00am-4:30pm (Monday-Friday)
Charles Cola Community Center
945 North Broadway
Yonkers
12:30pm-4:30pm (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
Coyne Park Community Center
777 Mclean Avenue
Yonkers
12:00pm-4:00pm (Monday-Friday)
Scotti Community Center
680 Bronx River Road
Yonkers
11am-3:30pm (Monday-Wednesday; Friday)
Nepperhan Community Center
342 Warburton Avenue
Yonkers
7:30am-9:00pm (Monday-Friday)
Yonkers Riverfront Library
1 Larkin Center
Yonkers
9:00am-8:00pm
Grinton I. Will Library
1500 Central Park Avenue
Yonkers
9:00am-9:00pm
In Jersey City:
The Mary McLeod Bethune Community Center
140 Martin Luther King Drive
9 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Joseph Connors Senior Center
28 Paterson St.
9 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Maureen Collier Senior Center
335 Bergen Ave.
9 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Full schedule of pool and sprinkler locations in Jersey City: JerseyCityNJ.gov/swimming/sprinklers/
FACTS ABOUT HEAT ILLNESS:
Heat illness is serious. Prolonged exposure to the heat can be harmful and potentially fatal. The added stress caused by heat can also aggravate heart or lung disease even without symptoms of heat illness. The risk for getting sick during a heat wave is increased for people who:
Do not have or do not use air conditioning
Are age 65 or older
Have chronic medical or mental health conditions
Take certain medications, which can disrupt the regulation of body temperature
Are confined to their beds, have trouble with being mobile, or are unable to leave their homes
Are overweight
Consume alcohol or illegal drugs
Know the warning signs of heat stress:
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.
Call 911 immediately if you have, or someone you know has:
Hot dry skin OR cold clammy skin
Trouble breathing
Rapid heartbeat
Confusion, disorientation, or dizziness
Nausea and vomiting
KEEPING PETS SAFE:
Avoid dehydration: Pets can dehydrate quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water.
Exercise early and late: When the temperature is very high, don't let your dog linger on hot asphalt. Your pet's body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn.
Know when your pet is in danger: Symptoms of overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor, or even collapse. Animals with flat faces like Pugs and Persian cats are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively. They should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.
--Never leave a pet inside of a parked car on a hot day. Even with the windows open, extreme temperatures inside a parked can could quickly lead to fatal heat stroke for your pet.
--Keep cats safe by installing screens in your windows. Unscreened windows pose a real danger to cats, who fall out of them often during summer months.
--Prepare with your pet: Pet food, water, medications and supplies should always be included in your emergency preparedness plans and "go bags."
IMPROPER FIRE HYDRANT USE:
The improper opening of fire hydrants wastes 1,000 gallons of water per minute, causes flooding on city streets, and can lower water pressure to dangerous levels and hamper the ability of FDNY to fight fire safely and quickly.
Properly used "spray caps" reduce hydrant output to a safe 25 gallons per minute while still providing relief from the heat. To obtain a spray cap, an adult 18 years or older with proper identification can go to his or her local firehouse and request one.
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 like an inconvenience, your cooperation will help to ensure that utilities are able to continue to provide uninterrupted electrical service to you and your neighbors.
Set air conditioners at 78 degrees Fahrenheit. A 75 F setting uses 18 percent more electricity and a 72 F setting uses 39 percent more electricity. This setting allows for sufficient cooling while still conserving electrical power.
Use an air conditioner only when home. If you want to cool your room before you arrive home, use a timer to have it come on no more than one-half hour before you arrive.
For more information on coping with the heat, visit: www.nyc.gov/beattheheat or view NYC Emergency Management's Beat the Heat video here.
New York City cooling centers will be open to help New Yorkers stay cool. Cooling centers are air conditioned facilities, such as libraries, community centers, and senior centers, that are open to the public during heat emergencies. To find the cooling center closest to you, call 311 (TTY: 212-504-4155) or visit NYC Emergency Management's Cooling Center Finder at NYC.gov/oem.
New Yorkers are encouraged to take the following steps to stay safe and cool:
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
