Extreme Heat Tips

During a Heat advisory, it is important to keep a close eye on seniors and those with chronic health problems. Be aware that indoor spaces without air conditioning can be much hotter than outdoor temperatures. New Yorkers are especially vulnerable to heat-related hazards as the city can be as much as 10 degrees warmer than its surrounding areas.

Use the Cool It! NYC Map to find places all across the city to hydrate, refresh, and stay in the shade.

Use Spray Caps to Open Hydrants

If you’d like to cool off with a hydrant, make sure you do it safely and legally, using a spray cap. When hydrants are opened without a spray cap, they can use 1,000 gallons of water per minute (or more), reducing water pressure in the surrounding area, making it harder for the fire department to fight fires when necessary.

When selecting a hydrant to open with a spray cap, make sure it is located in area where children can safely play.

A spray cap goes over the large nozzle of a fire hydrant. The flow of water from a hydrant with a spray cap is similar to a sprinkler.

You can ask your local firehouse to install a spray cap on a nearby hydrant. To request a spray cap, you must be 18 or older and have a valid ID.

If you see a leaking or running fire hydrant, please report it to 311 or fill out this online form so we can follow up.

Drink Water

On hot days, it is especially important to drink plenty of water—even if you are not thirsty. If you expect to be outside, take frequent breaks and make sure that everyone stays hydrated.

Drinking New York City tap water is an economical, healthy, and sustainable way to stay hydrated! New Yorkers are fortunate to have some of the highest quality tap water on the planet and it happens to be about 1,000 times less expensive than bottled water.

Stay Informed

You can find out more information about how to stay safe during extreme heat from NYC Emergency Management and the NYC Health Department.