Beat The Heat At Your Neighborhood Cooling Center

A heat wave is expected to grip New York City this week, with temperatures soaring to over 94 today. But — and here’s the kicker — it’s going to feel much hotter. With intense humidity, the heat index will be closer to the 100s, according to forecasters.

If this week’s scorching temperatures last until Friday, as predicted, it will be an official heat wave — which is defined by meteorologists as three days of 90-degree plus temperatures.

A heat advisory was issued by The National Weather Service, extending through today, July 7, at 8pm. And if that wasn’t enough to keep you indoors, an Air Quality Health Advisory was issued by Department of Environmental Conservation, lasting until 11pm tonight.

To prepare for this summer’s inaugural heat wave, the New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has opened cooling centers throughout the five boroughs — including in Ditmas Park — and has issued a number of tips to help residents to protect themselves and neighbors during these dangerously hot days. To find a map of the cooling center closest to you, go here or call 311.

Cooling centers — which are open to anyone during this heat wave — that are available in and around our neighborhood include:

• Park Slope Senior Center (463A 7th Street, near 7th Avenue; open from 8am-4pm weekdays)
• Park Slope Library (431 6th Avenue, near 9th Street; open from 10am-6pm weekdays)
• Central Library (10 Grand Army Plaza; open from 9am-6pm weekdays)
• Prospect Hill Senior Center (283 Prospect Avenue, between 5th and 6th Avenues; open from 8am-4pm weekdays
• Windsor Terrace Library (160 East 5th Street, near Fort Hamilton Parkway; 718-686-9707; open 10am-8pm Thursdays, and 10am-6pm Fridays)

*Note: Hours may be extended tomorrow for cooling centers. Call your closest location or check here for updates.

Additionally, the OEM has issued the following steps to help you stay safe during these hot days:

• Use air conditioning to stay cool or go to a place that has air conditioning. (Remember it’s important to conserve energy as much as possible to avoid brownouts, and the city recommends setting air conditioners at 78 degrees Fahrenheit.)

• Drink water at regular intervals and limit strenuous activity, especially during the hottest parts of the day.

• Avoid beverages containing alcohol and/or caffeine.

• Check on neighbors and relatives at least twice a day during heat waves and please pay special attention to the elderly, very young and those with medical conditions.

• Stay out of the sun.

• Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.

• Eat small, frequent meals.

• Cover all exposed skin with an SPF sunscreen (15 or above) and wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face and head.

• Never leave your children or pets in the car.

• Know the warning signs of heat illness, which include feeling weak or faint. If you are feeling like this, go to a cool place and drink water immediately. If there’s no improvement, call a doctor or 911. You should call 911 immediately if you have hot, dry skin or cold, clammy skin; trouble breathing; a rapid heartbeat; confusion, disorientation, or dizziness; or nausea and vomiting — as these can be symptoms of heat illness.

To stay cool in the neighborhood, you can also get a spray cap for a fire hydrant from your local firehouse and go to a public pool.

For more information on staying safe during a heat wave, you can go here. In addition, sign up for Notify NYC, which will alert you via phone calls, text messages, and/or emails about emergency information.

Stay cool, neighbors, and if you have other tips on beating this heat, let us know! Comment below or email us at editor@bklyner.com.