BOSTON - Tuesday,
August 10, 2021 - Today, Mayor Kim Janey declared a heat emergency in the
City of Boston beginning Wednesday, August 11 and lasting through Friday,
August 13 due to the hot and humid weather that is forecasted for this time
period. Temperatures are expected to be in the 90s, with a feels-like
temperature over 100 degrees.
“When it is this
dangerously hot during the day and the temperatures do not drop at night,
your body doesn’t have time to recover. I am urging everyone to drink lots
of water and find ways to stay cool. Anyone who needs a place to beat the
heat can come inside and rest in the air conditioning at one of our cooling
centers,” said Mayor Janey. “If possible, avoid strenuous outdoor activity
during the middle of the day. If you must be outside, take breaks more
frequently and stay hydrated. Let's look out for each other, Boston. If you
see someone outside who appears in distress and needs help, call 911 right
away.”
To help residents
stay cool, cooling centers will be open at Boston Centers for Youth &
Families (BCYF) community centers from Wednesday through Friday, 10:30 a.m.
to 6:00 p.m. A full list of centers that will be available can be found at Boston.gov/Heat. Additionally, the Frog Pond and tot sprays are open at parks and playgrounds throughout the City. The outdoor BCYF Mirabella Pool in the North End and the outdoor BCYF Clougherty Pool in Charlestown are both open for recreational swim as are
several indoor BCYF pools. Pre-register for a time to swim at all pools at Boston.gov/BCYF-Registration.
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.
·
Keep
cool with frequent cool showers, shade, and air conditioning or fans.
·
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.
·
Adults
and children should use sunscreen containing an SPF-30 or higher and wear
protective, loose-fitting clothing, including long sleeve shirts and hats.
·
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.
·
If
you are heading to a beach, lake or pool to beat the heat, swim where
lifeguards are present. Always watch children near the water and make sure
they’re wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket.
·
Due
to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there are situations where face masks are
still required (public transportation, health care settings, etc). If the
face mask results in overheating or if it is difficult to breathe, find a
shaded area where 6 feet of distance from others can safely be maintained
and remove the face covering.
·
Please
call or virtually check on neighbors, especially older adults, and people
with disabilities.
Helping the
Homeless:
·
If
you see individuals out in the heat who appear immobile or disoriented,
call 911 immediately and 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. Amnesty has been
called because of extremely high temperatures so those with non-violent
restrictions can access shelter out of the heat.
·
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 remain operating as normal
during summertime weather. Outreach teams are providing sunscreen and water
on outreach routes and in the comfort station.
·
Engagement
Center (EC): Air conditioning, water, sunscreen and nursing are provided on
site at the Engagement Center. Showers and running water are also
available. The EC is open Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 6
a.m. - 6 p.m. and on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m - 6
p.m.
Playground
Safety:
·
Shoes
should be worn outdoors, including playgrounds and turf athletic fields,
as surfaces can become extremely hot and cause burns, even on splash
pads and spray decks.
Outdoor Fires and
Grilling:
·
No
outdoor fires are allowed in Boston, including fire pits, chimneys, 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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