Where To Find Cooling Centers, Check On Your Neighbors & Other Tips To Beat The Heat

Anna Gustafson -
Photo by Utopian Branch.

With temperatures hitting the highest they’ve been this summer, 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.

Temperatures are expected to soar into the 90s today — though the heat index is expected to make it feel more like 100 degrees, and the National Weather Service issued a heat advisory that extends through today, July 20, at 6pm.

The scorching temperatures prompted the city to open cooling centers at sites across the city, and you can find the cooling center closest to you by going here or calling 311.

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

  • Walt Whitman Library (93 Saint Edwards Street — M – Tu 10-6; W 1-8; Th 1-6; F 10-6)
  • Willoughby Senior Center (105 North Portland Avenue, just north of Myrtle Avenue –M – F 8-4; Sa – Su 10-5)
  • Times Plaza Senior Center (460 Atlantic Avenue, between Nevins and Bond Streets — Open M – F 8-4; Sa – Su 9-5)
  • Atlantic Terminal Community Center (501 Carlton Avenue, just north of Atlantic Avenue)
  • Clinton Hill Library (380 Washington Avenue, between Greene and Lafayette Avenues — Open M – Tu 10-6; W 1-8; Th – F 10-6; Sa 10-5)
  • Grace Agard Harewood Senior Center (966 Fulton Street between Grand Avenue and Cambridge Place — Open M – F 9-5; Sa – Su 10-6)
  • Lafayette Gardens Community Center (442 DeKalb Avenue, at Classon Avenue — Open M – F 8-11; Sa – Su 3-11)
  • Fort Greene-Grant Square Senior Center (19 Grant Square — Open M – F 9-5; Sa – Su 10-4)

So far, the city has said the cooling centers will only be open through the end of today, Monday, July 20, though they could extend that depending on the heat. To keep up to date on when cooling centers will be open, please go here or call the cooling center closest to you.

Additionally, the OEM has issued the following steps to help you 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 stress, which include feeling weak or faint. If you are feeling like this, go to a cool place and drink water. 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.

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 about coping with the heat, you can go here. You’re also encouraged to 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.