OEM Offers Tips to Help New Yorkers Beat the Heat

Subject: OEM Offers Tips to Help New Yorkers Beat the Heat
Date: 6/10/2005 2:29:44 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: MyNYC@nyc.gov
To: reysmontj@aol.com
Sent from the Internet (Details)


June 10 , 2005


THIS IS THE NYC.gov NEWS YOU REQUESTED FOR: Emergency Preparedness, Notifications and Alerts, OEM News & Events, and Information for Community-Based Organizations



OEM OFFERS TIPS TO HELP NEW YORKERS BEAT THE HEAT



June 10 , 2005 - With warm temperatures and humidity forecast through the weekend, the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) urges New Yorkers to take appropriate steps to stay cool.

People planning to spend time outdoors should be mindful of the heat and heed the following tips to 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.
Never leave children, seniors, or pets in a parked car during periods of intense summer heat.
Make a special effort to check on your neighbors, especially seniors and people with special needs.
Energy Conservation and Power Outages

Power outages are more likely to occur during warm weather, when utility usage is at its peak. OEM urges residents to 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. 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.

Learn more about how to stay cool all summer long with OEM's Ready New York: Beat the Heat guide (in PDF). For more information about heat-related hazards and the Ready New York campaign, visit OEM's website or call 311.