PHILADELPHIA — In response to forecast maximum heat index values, Health Commissioner Cheryl Bettigole, MD, MPH issued a Heat Health Emergency in Philadelphia. This designation begins at 9 a.m. on Thursday, July 27, 2023 and is scheduled to end at 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 29, 2023, though may be extended if the forecast worsens.
A declaration of a Heat Health Emergency by the Health Commissioner activates the City’s emergency heat programs, which include the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging’s (PCA) Heatline, cooling centers, home visits by special field teams, enhanced daytime outreach for people experiencing homelessness, and the City’s reminder to the public to safely check on older friends, relatives, and neighbors from a distance.
The PCA Heatline (215-765-9040) will be open between 8:30 a.m. and midnight on Thursday, July 27 through Saturday, July 29. The hours and days of operation may be extended if the Heat Health Emergency needs to be extended. The public is encouraged to call if they have questions about precautions they can take and detecting signs of heat stress. City Health Department nurses will be available to speak with callers about medical problems related to the heat.
“The Health Department declares a Heat Health Emergency when the temperature gets high enough that vulnerable people – especially our elderly neighbors and family members – are at an increased risk of getting sick or dying from the heat,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole. “The best way to protect our loved ones is to make sure they can get into air conditioning during the hottest part of the day. As always, we encourage Philadelphians to check on elderly friends and neighbors to make sure they’re safe and don’t need assistance. If you’re worried about someone’s health during the emergency, you can call the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging’s Heatline at 215-765-9040.”
People who do not have air conditioning are advised to seek relief from the heat by visiting friends or relatives who have air conditioning. The City will be opening a variety of alternate cooling sites that will be available for use by all Philadelphia residents looking to escape the heat.
Cooling Centers
These cooling centers will operate with extended hours on Thursday, July 27 through Saturday, July 29, 2023. Cooling Center locations and hours may change if the Heat Health Emergency is extended.
Free Library Cooling Center Locations:
All Free Library locations will be open to the public from 10 a.m. through 7 p.m.
Cecil B. Moore Library
2320 Cecil B. Moore Avenue 19121
Charles Santore Library
932 S. 7th Street 19147
Blanche A. Nixon Cobbs Creek Library
5800 Cobbs Creek Parkway 19143
Fumo Family Library
2437 South Broad Street 19148
Haverford Library
5543 Haverford Avenue 19139
Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library
68 W. Chelten Avenue 19144
Lillian Marrero Library
601 W. Lehigh Avenue 19133
Logan Library
1333 Wagner Avenue 19141
Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library
125 S. 52nd Street 19139
Nicetown-Tioga Library
3720 North Broad Street 19140
Northeast Regional Library
2228 Cottman Avenue 19149
Oak Lane Library
6614 N. 12th Street 19126
Widener Library
2808 W. Lehigh Avenue 19132
Recreation Center Cooling Locations:
All Parks and Recreation locations will be open to the public 11 a.m. through 7 p.m.
East Passyunk Community Recreation Center
1025 Mifflin Street 19148
Barry
1800 Johnston Street 19145
Smith
2100 South 26th Street 19145
Christy
738 South 55th Street 19143
Sayre
5835 Spruce Street 19139
West Mill Creek
5100 Parrish Street 19139
8th & Diamond Playground
800 Diamond Street 19122
Penrose
1101 West Susquehanna Avenue 19122
Dendy
1555 North 10th Street 19122
MLK
2101 Cecil B. Moore Avenue 19121
Mander
2140 North 33rd Street 19121
Nelson
2500 North 3rd Street 19133
Waterloo
2501 North Howard Street 19133
Scanlon
1099 East Venango Street 19134
Pleasant
6757 Chew Avenue 19119
Lonnie Young
1100 East Chelten Avenue 19138
Stenton Park
4600 North 16th Street 19140
Francis Myers
5801 Kingsessing Avenue 19143
McCreesh Playground
6744 Regent Street 19142
Pools and spraygrounds
Residents are also encouraged to visit any of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s spraygrounds and pools. Pools will be offering free swimming during open hours for the duration of the Heat Health Emergency.
Residents can find all of the identified Cooling Centers, as well as spraygrounds, on this map or by calling 311.
The Water Department warns residents to avoid swimming in the city’s rivers and creeks, as unsafe, unseen currents and other hazards in these waterways have led to recent injuries and drowning deaths.
Older adult centers
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s older adult centers will be open. Older adult centers all have air conditioning and are open 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Utility shutoffs
Philadelphia Water Department shutoffs are suspended during a Heat Health Emergency. Shutoffs for non-payment will resume after the Heat Health Emergency ends.
Outreach and shelter for homeless individuals
The Office of Homeless Services also declared a Code Red and will take proactive measures to protect Philadelphians who are experiencing homelessness. Call the outreach team at (215) 232-1984 if you see someone on the street who needs shelter or other homeless services. Call 911 if there is a medical emergency.
Fire hydrant use
Residents should never open fire hydrants to cool off. Leave hydrant use to firefighters to ensure a quick and effective response at a fire scene. Also, opening fire hydrants for play during heat emergencies can lead to water main breaks and potentially leave whole areas without access to water. If you see an open hydrant, call the Philadelphia Water Department’s emergency hotline: 215-685-6300.
Who is at risk
Groups that are at higher risk of heat stress include:
- People who do not have or use air conditioning,
- Older adults,
- People with chronic medical conditions,
- Pregnant Philadelphians,
- Small children,
- Those who work in high heat environments,
- Those who take certain medications that disrupt the regulation of body temperature,
- Those who use alcohol or drugs, and
- Persons engaged in strenuous physical activity.
The City strongly encourages all Philadelphians to check in with friends, neighbors, relatives, and other loved ones to make sure that they are safe from the heat.
The Health Department recommends that to avoid heat-related illness, Philadelphians of all ages should:
- Use air conditioners. If necessary, go to an air-conditioned location for several hours during the hottest parts of the day.
- If using a fan, be sure to open windows to release trapped hot air.
- Drink plenty of liquids, especially water, to prevent dehydration. Avoid caffeine and alcohol. The City’s tap water is high quality, meeting all state and federal quality standards. Residents don’t need to go out to buy bottled water and can rely on their home tap to ensure they are drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated.
- Never leave older people, children, or pets alone in cars.
- Those taking regular medication should consult with their physician. Some medications cause an adverse reaction in hot weather.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
- Avoid, as much as possible, working or playing in the hot sun or other hot areas, especially during the sun’s peak hours of 11 a.m. through 4 p.m.
- Maintain a normal diet.
- Shower or bathe in water that is near skin temperature.
- Cover all exposed skin with an SPF sunscreen (15 or above). Wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face and head.
The early warning signs of heat stress are decreased energy, slight loss of appetite, faintness, lightheadedness, and nausea. People experiencing these symptoms should go to a cool environment, drink fluids, remove excess clothing, and rest. If there is no improvement, call a doctor or 911. City hospitals are ready and available to accept patients who need help.
Call 911 immediately if you have or you see others with serious signs of heat stress, including unconsciousness, rapid heartbeat, throbbing headache, dry skin, chest pain, mental confusion, irritability, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle cramps, staggering, and difficulty breathing. People experiencing these symptoms should get immediate medical attention. While waiting for help move the person to a cool area, remove excess clothing, spray with water, and fan the person.
More information about heat health emergencies and what residents can do to stay safe can be found on the City’s Heat Health Emergency blog post, and on the City’s Extreme Heat Guide. Stay connected to important information by signing up for free alerts from the city. Text READYPHILA to 888-777 for free texts direct to your phone.
