BOSTON - Friday, July 24, 2020 - Mayor
Martin J. Walsh today declared a heat emergency in the City of Boston
beginning Sunday, July 26 through Tuesday, July 28 when the real feel
temperature is expected to range between 95 and 102 degrees. To help
residents stay cool, Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF)
community centers will be open to the public as cooling centers on Sunday
from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The
City's two outdoor pools, BCYF Clougherty Pool in Charlestown and the BCYF
Mirabella Pool in the North End, will be open from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Visitors must register for a swim time slot at Boston.gov/BCYF-Summer.
"We are opening our cooling centers for
all residents to have the option to come in and cool off in air
conditioning," said Mayor Walsh. "In addition, we'll have two
outdoor pools open that are open for Boston residents. I want to remind
everyone that COVID-19 is still a threat. Everyone needs to keep doing
their part to avoid large crowds and wear your face covering, unless you're
in the water."
Twenty-one BCYF community centers will be open for residents to use the air
conditioned rooms to cool off. A full list of centers including hours
of operation is available here.
Due to COVID-19 public health regulations, residents are advised to call
before visiting to confirm occupancy limits. All cooling center visitors
will be screened before entry and must wear a face covering (covering both
the nose and mouth), maintain 6 feet of distance from others, and wash
their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Visitors
must bring their own water bottles and water, and must limit belongings to
one small bag. Occupancy will be monitored to ensure it doesn't exceed 40
percent of the building's maximum permitted occupancy to maintain proper
distancing and the spaces will be regularly cleaned and disinfected hourly.
The City's two outdoor pools, the BCYF
Clougherty Pool in Charlestown and the BCYF
Mirabella Pool in the North End, are now open seven days a week through
Labor Day from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are
several new protocols
in place at the outdoor pools. Capacity has been reduced to less than
40 percent capacity or 75 people per session and you must register for a
swim time slot ahead of time as walk-ins will not be allowed. Registration
opens 24 hours before the following day's sessions at Boston.gov/BCYF-Summer.
The 16 indoor pools operated by Boston Centers for Youth & Families
(BCYF) are open only for participating youth attending in-person summer
programming at this time.
Tot
sprays are open at playgrounds in the City, with restrictions. Boston
Public Libraries and indoor City-operated pools remain closed to the public
at this time due to COVID-19 safety measures.
Information on heat safety tips can be found
online at boston.gov/heat and by following @CityofBoston on Twitter.
Residents can sign up for Alert Boston, the City's emergency notification
system, to receive emergency alerts by phone, email or text. Sign
up online here. Residents are also encouraged to call 311 with any
questions about available city services.
The Mayor issued the following heat safety
tips for all members of the public:
- Children
and pets should never be left alone in vehicles, even for short
periods of time.
- Stay
hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids regardless of activity level. Avoid
alcoholic beverages and liquids high in sugar or caffeine.
- Adults
and children should use sunscreen containing an SPF-30 or higher and
wear protective, loose-fitting clothing, including long sleeve shirts
and hats.
- Limit
outdoor activity to morning and evening hours. Rest often in shady
areas and be extra cautious from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., when the sun's UV
radiation is strongest.
- Know
the signs of heat exhaustion. Heavy sweating, cool and clammy skin,
dizziness, nausea, and muscle aches could all be signs of heat
exhaustion. If symptoms persist, call 911 immediately. Do not delay
care. Heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the US
and can exacerbate underlying illnesses.
- Keep
cool with showers, shade, and air conditioning or fans. The City's two
outdoor pools, Urban
wilds and tot
sprays at playgrounds are open in Boston. When visiting,
residents should wear face coverings (unless in the spray), maintain 6
feet of distance, and wash hands before and after visiting.If it is
cooler outside than at home, wear a face covering and find a shady
spot outside. If the face covering results in overheating or trouble
breathing, find a shaded area where 6 feet of distance from others can
safely be maintained and remove the face covering. If no AC is
available:
- Take
frequent cool showers
- Help
find a non-sick family member or neighbor with AC to visit. Wear a
face covering and stay 6 feet apart.
- If
you have a child in your home, use child window guards in addition to
screens on any open window on the second story or above. Falls are the
leading cause of injury for children under the age of six.
- Secure
all window air conditioner units according to the manufacturer's
specifications.
- Please
call or virtually check on neighbors, especially older adults, and
people with disabilities.
Helping the
Homeless:
- If
you see homeless individuals out in the heat who appear immobile or
disoriented, please call 911. Please ask them if they need assistance.
- The
Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) operates emergency shelters at
112 Southampton St. and 794 Massachusetts Ave. These facilities are
air conditioned and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- The
City of Boston works closely with a network of shelter providers to
ensure there is adequate shelter, food, water, and a cool respite from
the heat.
- Street
outreach teams providing recovery services, including the Engagement
Center behind 112 Southampton St., remain operating as normal during
summertime weather.
- All
sites (Shelters, the Engagement Center, comfort stations) are
following COVID-19 guidelines by promoting handwashing, hand
sanitizer, and face coverings. Guests are provided sunscreen and
water. Nursing teams are onsite to support.
Playground
Safety:
- Children
should always wear shoes on playgrounds because surfaces can become
extremely hot and cause burns, even splash pads and spray decks.
- Due
to the COVID-19 pandemic, children should wear a face covering (except
while in the water), stay 6 feet away from others, and wash/sanitize
hands before and after play.
Beach Safety:
- Per
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if going to
a beach or a large body of water, it is important to wear a face
covering unless in the water, stay 6 feet apart from others, and avoid
crowds due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
- Don't
wear face coverings in the water because they can be difficult to
breathe through when they're wet. This means it is particularly
important to maintain social distancing in the water. If the face
covering results in overheating or trouble breathing, find a shaded
area where 6 feet of distance from others can safely be maintained and
remove the face covering.
Outdoor Fires and
Grilling:
- No
outdoor fires are allowed in Boston, including fire pits, chimineas,
and bonfires.
- Charcoal
grills must be on the ground and away from buildings. Keep in mind the
wind and never leave unattended. When done, dispose of the ash in a
metal container once completely out.
- Propane
tank grills are only allowed on first floor porches with steps to the
ground. Do not place propane tank grills near air conditioners or up
against a building. Make sure all connections are tight and never
carry propane tanks into a home.
- Grills
should always be used in a well-ventilated area.
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