City Hosted Immigrant Media Roundtable on Beating the Heat and Water Safety

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, July 26th, 2024 

CONTACT: Shaina Coronel, SCoronel@cityhall.nyc.gov

NEW YORK — The Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA), in partnership with New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) and NYC Parks hosted an immigrant media roundtable on the City's heat plan and water safety. At this event, Commissioners Manuel Castro, Zach Iscol, and Sue Donoghue discussed how the City is responding to extreme heat and also highlighted efforts to protect New Yorkers at public beaches and pools this summer.

"NYC Parks and beaches are central hubs for immigrant New Yorkers to form community bonds. However, immigrant New Yorkers may be unfamiliar with the environment of the city and may not know how to best take precautions," said Manuel Castro, Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs. "MOIA is grateful to NYC Parks and NYC Emergency Management for joining this roundtable and sharing safety tips with our trusted immigrant press partners can help save lives and keep ALL New Yorkers safe."

Extreme heat is deadly. Older adults and children are more vulnerable to heat-related deaths. It's important to stay cool outside and inside. If it reaches above 90°F in your apartment, air conditioning is important. New Yorkers who do not own an air conditioner can stay cool during heat waves by visiting a cool place such as a neighbor's, family or friends place, a coffee shop, a local mall, a public place, or one of NYC's cooling center.  

Visiting NYC's waterfront and pools is a great way for New Yorkers to stay cool during hot summer months and beat the heat. New Yorkers are encouraged to visit nyc.gov/parks to learn essential safety tips and all the FREE New York City resources to keep New Yorkers safe. New York City beaches and pools are FREE and open to the public to enjoy. Guests can swim from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. when lifeguards are on duty. Swimming is strictly prohibited in closed sections or whenever lifeguards are not on duty. Closed sections are marked with signs and/or red flags.