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To help residents stay cool, cooling centers will be open at
12 Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) community centers
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A full list of
centers can be found at boston.gov/heat. Due to the rising COVID-19 case count, the
use of masks in cooling centers is strongly recommended. Additionally, more
than 50 splash pads
will be open at parks and playgrounds throughout the City. Select indoor BCYF pools are open and the
outdoor BCYF Mirabella Pool is open Wednesday through Sunday. Registration
for a time to swim can be found at this link.
The City of Boston is taking critical immediate action to
provide heat relief, including short-term, actionable steps toward relief
during heat waves. The City of Boston has been engaging in a variety of
catalytic projects to support extreme heat mitigation and improved health
for residents. This includes the distribution of pop-up cooling kits with a
hose, misters, and a tent to community organizations that have public
events this summer. The cooling kits will be distributed over the coming
weeks.
The Boston Public Schools is encouraging students and their
families to prepare for hot weather this week by staying well hydrated and
dressing appropriately. Families are welcome to send their children to
their respective summer programs, which will provide students with water
and meals. Additionally, the majority of summer sites are equipped with air
conditioning and fans will be delivered to sites in need of cooling.
Information on heat safety tips can be found online at boston.gov/heat and by following @CityofBoston on Twitter. Residents can sign up for
AlertBoston, 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 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., when the sun's
ultraviolet (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 U.S. 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.
·
Please
call or check on neighbors, especially older adults and people with
disabilities.
·
Please
keep pets indoors, hydrated, and cool as asphalt and ground conditions are
significantly hotter and unsafe during heat.
Helping Individuals Experiencing Homelessness:
·
If
you see individuals out in the heat who appear immobile or disoriented,
please ask them if they need assistance and call 911 immediately.
·
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.
·
The
Engagement Center will be open to provide a cooling space.
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, chimineas, and
bonfires.
·
Charcoal
grills must be on the ground and away from buildings. Keep in mind the wind
and never leave grills unattended. 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.
Mayor Wu recently announced Heat
Resilience Solutions for Boston, a citywide framework to prepare Boston for hotter
summers and more intense heat events. The Heat Plan presents 26 strategies that will help
build a more just, equitable, and resilient Boston. To support the
implementation of the Heat Plan, the City will launch the Boston Extreme
Temperatures Response Task Force, which will help deliver a unified,
all-of-government response to address chronic high temperature conditions
and prepare the city in advance of extreme heat events. The Task Force’s
work will be supported by the Environment Department, the Office of Emergency
Management, and the Boston Public Health Commission’s Office of Public
Health Preparedness with the goal of collaboratively protecting and
promoting the health and wellbeing of Boston residents facing increasing
temperatures and other climate risks.
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