Philly gets hot in the summer. Seriously hot.

Cities like ours get especially hot due to the “heat island effect.” Fewer trees, more paved surfaces, and taller buildings make the city hotter and more humid all day long and well into the night.  

Hot weather can make people sick, even healthy adults. Older adults and people with chronic health conditions are at greater risk. So are infants and young children, pregnant people, people who work outside, and people experiencing homelessness. Here are ten things you can do to stay cool this summer. 

1. Sign up for free ReadyPhiladelphia weather updates

The Office of Emergency Management shares information about heat and severe weather via free email and text message alerts sent through ReadyPhiladelphia, the City’s mass notification system.  Sign up for ReadyPhiladelphia text and email updates. 

2. Find ways to stay cool, both at home and in the city, before it gets hot

Access air conditioning

If you don’t have air conditioning at home, visit a cool, public space that has air conditioning, like a library or shopping center. During a Heat Health Emergency, the City will open cooling centers with extended hours to expand access to air conditioning. Call 3-1-1 or use this map to find your local cooling center.  

Use fans only if indoor temperatures are less than 90°F. In temperatures above 90°F, fans can increase body temperature by circulating hot air.

Never use fans when windows are closed

The style of Philadelphia row homes can play a role in heat stress. Homes with black rooftops absorb heat. Turning a fan on inside your home with the windows closed will only circulate hot air. This can cause the temperature inside your home to be the same temperature as it is outside. 

Apply for utility assistance programs

There are resources available for residents who may need assistance with the cost of utilities. 

  • BenePhilly also offers one-on-one help to enroll Philadelphia residents in public benefit programs.

3. Drink more water

Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Carry a reusable bottle with you when you’re outside and keep it filled with cool liquids. Visit hydration stations at parks and libraries in your area to fill up water bottles for free. Avoid sugary drinks and alcohol, which can cause you to lose body fluids, leaving you dehydrated.   

4. Wear lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing

Lightweight fabrics, like cotton and linen, are breathable, absorb sweat, and dry quickly. They also allow your skin to breathe, preventing you from overheating.  

5. Take a cool bath or shower

Taking a cool bath or shower lowers your body temperature, reducing the risk of overheating. It can also help with circulation and make you feel refreshed and energized.   

6. Cool off at a sprayground or pool

Do not use fire hydrants to cool off. This can decrease the water pressure, making it difficult for firefighters to respond and fight fires. Plus, it can damage water mains in your neighborhood. The water pressure alone from a fire hydrant can cause serious injury, especially if there are young children around. 

Parks and Recreation opens over 90 spraygrounds and water features across the city to keep residents cool. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, spraygrounds are turned on 7 days per week, except in cases of inclement weather. 

Pools will also begin to open as temperatures heat up. Find a pool or sprayground near you. 

7. Limit outdoor activity to the morning and evening hours when possible

If the temperature is above 90 degrees for a few days, even the morning and evening hours can be extremely hot and dangerous. If you are outside during hot weather, seek shade, when possible, to avoid direct sunlight. Make sure you are protected from the sun’s rays by applying sunscreen regularly and wearing a wide-brimmed hat or sunglasses. 

8. Call the Homeless Outreach hotline at 215-232-1984 if you see someone on the street who needs shelter or support

The Office of Homeless Services will dispatch their homeless outreach team to any individual on the street who needs to be transported to a local shelter or needs other services.  Save their hotline number in your phone to request outreach anytime, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. 

9. Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke

One hot day can lead to health problems, but a few hot days in a row can be even more dangerous. Spending too much time outside in the heat can cause heat exhaustion or heat stroke.  

When someone has heat exhaustion, they may experience heavy sweating, headache, weakness, fatigue, a fast but weak pulse, dizziness, nausea or vomiting.  

  • If you see someone with these symptoms or are experiencing them yourself, find a cool, air-conditioned space to rest, sip cool water, use a cool towel around the neck, or take a cool shower or bath.  
  • If these symptoms last for longer than one hour, call 911 or seek medical attention. 

When someone has heat stroke, they may experience a throbbing headache, very high body temperature (103 degrees or above), red, hot and dry skin without sweating, confusion, fast but strong pulse, vomiting, and loss of consciousness. 

  • Heat stroke is an emergency. Call 911 and do not give the person anything to drink.

10. Protect your pets

Pets can suffer from heat-related illness too. Make sure your pets have a ventilated, cool place to lay with plenty of water for them to drink. If you have air conditioning, keep pets inside with you.  

Do not leave your pets outside for long. When outside, make sure pets have access to shade and cool water. 

Keep paws safe

Dogs and cats have footpads on their paws. These can burn on hot surfaces, like concrete, metal, pavement, sidewalks, and asphalt. Ouch! Remember to walk them in shaded areas and watch out for any signs of pain or discomfort. 

Follow ACCT Philly’s extreme heat requirements during Code Red

A Code Red is activated when the National Weather Service’s extended forecast includes at least three consecutive days with temperatures of 95 degrees or above.  

Owners can face a $500 fine – and are putting their pets in grave danger – if they don’t follow these requirements. Make sure you are aware of ACCT Philly’s extreme weather information. 

Report animals left outdoors in severe weather

If you see an animal who does not have adequate water, shade, or shelter, call 267-385-3800 and dial 1 to speak with a dispatcher. You can also file a report online with all the details you have. 

Be sure to look out for family and friends, especially those who are most vulnerable, during these hot and humid days of summer. A phone call or a brief visit can make all the difference. Beat the heat and stay cool, Philly.

Learn more about heat in Philadelphia.