Just three days into the official start of summer we’ve entered our first brutal heat wave of the season–and with it comes life threatening 100º+ temperatures, high humidity, and dangerous conditions. In other words, we New Yorkers are in need of places to cool down–fast.
Thankfully the concrete jungle isn’t all concrete, and throughout the city it is possible to find places to cool down–like fountains and water sprayers! And yes, it’s totally legal to jump in NYC’s fountains when it’s hot out.
And lucky for us, the city put together a handy interactive map that lists all of NYC’s water sprayers. To use it, just simply type where you are and it will find the closest water sprayer to you. You can also filter the search to find the city’s drinking fountains, outdoor pools, park tree canopies, and even the leafiest blocks.
The map also shows Community Boards with the highest and second-highest risk of heat injury or death, so those in the area know to take extra precaution.
You can find the map online here. And for easy access, the information is also available in a downloadable spreadsheet at the same link.
The NYC Parks Department normally turns on the spray showers–which are typically found at playgrounds–when temperatures are 80º or higher, so this week definitely fits! Misters can typically be found in parks or other seating areas, so you can sit down and let the cooling waters gently spray you. There are also some fire hydrants that can be opened legally during heat emergencies with a city-approved spray cap.
According to the NYC Emergency Management team, more than 500 New Yorkers died prematurely last year from preventable heat illness. If you’re elderly or have other health conditions like heart disease or asthma, you’re at even higher risk. Here are some tips on what to do to stay safe during extreme heat:
Indoor Heat Safety:
- Set your air conditioning unit to at least 78° or “low cool”
- Close window shades or curtains
- Try not to use your stove and oven
- Take a cool shower or bath (not a freezing one)
- Drink plenty of water, even if you’re not thirsty
Outdoor Heat Safety:
- Avoid strenuous physical activity
- Drink plenty of water, even if you’re not thirsty
- Stay in the shade and out of direct sun
- Wear light, loose-fitting clothes
- Put a hat on to protect your face and head
- Limit outdoor activities to early morning and late evening hours
You can find more ways on how to stay cool this summer, especially during a heat wave, with NYC’s Beat the Heat, an instructive guide for New Yorkers to navigate extreme heat.