FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Release 06-010
July 16, 2006

NEW YORK CITY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ANNOUNCES THE OPENING OF COOLING CENTERS

Due to high heat and humidity in the forecast for the next few days, the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) today announced the opening of cooling centers throughout all five boroughs for Monday, July 17, and Tuesday, July 18.  Cooling centers are facilities that are air-conditioned and open to the public. Many senior and community centers serve as cooling centers. New Yorkers can call 311 or log on to NYC.gov/oem  beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday, July 17, to find the nearest cooling center or public pool.

OEM also offers the following tips to help New Yorkers stay safe:

• If possible, stay out of the sun. When in the sun, wear sunscreen (at least SPF 15) and a hat to protect your face and head. Dress in lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing that covers as much skin as possible.
• Drink fluids - particularly water - even if you do not feel thirsty. Your body needs water to keep cool. Avoid beverages containing alcohol or caffeine.
• Avoid strenuous activity, especially during the sun's peak hours - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Cool down with repeated cool baths or showers.
• Never leave children, seniors, or pets in a parked car during periods of intense summer heat.
• Make a special effort to check on neighbors, especially seniors and those with special needs.
• Report open fire hydrants by calling 311.
• Recognize the symptoms of heat-related illnesses including heat exhaustion and heat stroke:

Heat exhaustion: Symptoms include heavy sweating, weakness, headache, weak pulse, dizziness, exhaustion, fainting, nausea or vomiting, and cold, clammy skin. Body temperature will seem normal.

Heat stroke: Symptoms include flushed, hot, dry skin, weak or rapid pulse, shallow breathing, lack of sweating, throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and unconsciousness. Body temperature will be elevated, and victim should receive immediate medical attention.

Energy Conservation and Power Outages

During periods of hot and humid weather, regional electricity use rises.  Residents should conserve energy to help prevent power disruptions.

• Set your air conditioner thermostat no lower than 78 degrees.
• Only use the air conditioner when you are home. If you want to cool your home before you return, set a timer to have it switch on no more than a half-hour before you arrive.
• Turn non-essential appliances off.
• Only use appliances that have heavy electrical loads early in the morning or very late at night.

Fire Hydrants and Spray Caps

Opening fire hydrants without spray caps is wasteful and dangerous. Illegally opened hydrants can lower water pressure, which can cause problems at hospitals and other medical facilities and hinder fire-fighting by reducing the flow of water to hoses and pumps. Children can also be at serious risk, because the powerful force of an open hydrant without a spray cap can push them into oncoming traffic. Call 311 to report an open hydrant.

Hydrants can be opened legally if equipped with a City-approved spray cap. One illegally opened hydrant wastes up to 1,000 gallons of water per minute, while a hydrant with a spray cap only puts out around 25 gallons per minute. Spray caps can be obtained by an adult 18 or over, free of charge, at local firehouses.

Residents can learn more about how to stay cool all summer long with OEM's Ready New York: Beat the Heat guide. For more information about heat-related hazards and the Ready New York campaign, visit NYC.gov/oem or call 311.

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CONTACT: Jarrod Bernstein   718-422-4888