Tips to stay safe during Heat Health Emergency in Philadelphia

(WPHL) — As the Philadelphia region experiences its first heat wave of 2025, it’s important to stay safe as temperatures rise into the upper 90s.

As temperatures continue to rise, the City of Philadelphia has put precautionary measures in place for the heat health emergency. This heat health emergency will stay in place until Wednesday at 8 p.m., when temperatures are expected to start dropping into the lower 90s.

The city has a heat health emergency “heatline”, 267-765-9040, that residents can call if they are experiencing an emergency or need heat-related assistance.

The Department of Public Health recommends the following tips to avoid heat-related illnesses:

• 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.
• Use drapes, shades, or awnings in your home. Outdoor awnings can reduce the heat that enters the home by up to 80 percent.
• Take a cool shower or bath.
• Rest in the shade or a cool place when you can.
• Drink plenty of liquids, especially water, to prevent dehydration. Avoid caffeine and alcohol.
• Never leave older people, children, or pets alone in cars. Car interiors can reach lethal temperatures very quickly; It takes only two minutes for a car to reach unsafe temperatures.
• Check on older adults who live alone.
• Those taking regular medication should consult with their physician. Some medications cause an adverse reaction in hot weather.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Avoid 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.
• Do not use fire hydrants to cool off!
  • If you see an open hydrant, call the Water Department’s emergency line at (215) 685-6300.

Signs and symptoms of heat-related illness:

*Muscle cramps may be the first sign of heat-related illness.*

• Symptoms include: heavy sweating and painful muscle spasms –often in the abdomen, arms, or calves.
• What to do:
  • Stop all activity and move to a cooler location
  • Drink water
  • Seek medical attention if cramps persist for more than one hour

Heat exhaustion can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate replacement of fluids. Those most prone to heat exhaustion are elderly people, people with high blood pressure, and people working or exercising in a hot environment.

• Symptoms include: heavy sweating, headache, weakness, fatigue, dizziness, fainting, nausea, or vomiting.
• What to do:
  • Go to an air-conditioned space. On especially hot days, the City opens cooling centers.
  • Sip cool, non-alcoholic beverages.
  • Take a cool shower or bath.
  • Rest.
  • Seek medical attention if symptoms persist for more than one hour.

Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided.

• Symptoms may include: very high body temperature (above 103°F), red, hot, dry skin (no sweating), confusion, throbbing headache, nausea, and unconsciousness.

If you see someone with these symptoms, call 911 immediately.

Who is at risk:

• People aged 65 years or older. They are less likely to sense and respond to changes in temperature. Many people, particularly older adults, also don’t feel thirsty until they’re already dehydrated. You should check in on older adults to make sure that they are staying cool and hydrated.
• Infants and young children (under age 4). Young children are sensitive to the effects of excessive heat and must rely on their caregivers to stay cool and hydrated.
• People with some chronic medical conditions, like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and asthma. They are less likely to sense and respond to changes in temperature. Also, they may be taking medications that can contribute to dehydration or interfere with the body’s ability to regulate body temperature. Patients should check with their healthcare provider for more information about how specific chronic conditions and medications may affect them during extreme heat events.
• People who are homeless, pregnant, work outdoors, or are athletes should be especially careful to stay hydrated.
• People with ch

Those without air conditioning can visit the city’s free cooling centers. Residents are also encouraged to use the city’s free spraygrounds and pools.

2025 Cooling Center locations:

Cooling Center	Address	Hours
Dr Martin Luther King Jr Older Adult Center	22nd Ave. and Cecil B. Moore Ave.	11a-7p
Mann Older Adult Center	3201 N. 5th St.	4p-7p
Northeast Older Adult Center	Bustleton Ave. and Solly Ave.	4p-7p
Charles Library	1900 N. 13th St.	11a-6p
Prevention Point	2913-2915 Kensington Ave.	11a – 7p
Philly House (MALES ONLY)	302 N. 13th St.	11a – 7p
Fumo Family Library	2437 S. Broad St.	11a – 7p
South Philadelphia Older Adult Center	1430 E. Passyunk Ave.	4p-7p
East Passyunk Recreation Center	1025 Mifflin St.	3p-9p
Greater Grays Ferry Community Center	3001 Moore St.	8a – 6p
Barry Playground	1800 Johnston St.	11a-9p
McCreesh Playground	6744 Regent St.	3p-9p
African Cultural Alliance of North America (ACANA)	5530 Chester Ave.	11a – 7p
Rising Hope for Change	1628 S. 58th St.	11a-7p
Philadelphia Masjid	4700 Wyalusing Ave.	11a – 7p
Blackwell Regional Library	125 S. 52nd St.	11a – 7p
Katie B. Jackson Community Center	400 N. 50th St.	8a – 6p
Widener Library	446 N. 65th St.	11a – 7p
Haverford Library	5543 Haverford Ave.	11a – 7p
Abbotsford Community Center	3226 McMichael St.	8a – 6p
Thomas B. Smith Recreation Center	2100 S. 24th St.	3p-9p
Frank S. Nelson, Jr. Memorial Recreation Center	2500-34 N. 3rd St	3p-9p
Stenton Park	4600 N. 16th St.	11a-9p
Waterloo Playground	2501 N. Howard St.	11a-9p
Kingsessing Library	1201 S. 51st	10a-6p
Kensington Wellness Center (Entrance on B. St)	265 E. Lehigh Ave	11a-7p

You can also visit a local library or Parks & Rec location, which are being used as cooling centers as well.

Philadelphia Free Library locations:

(Open June 22 to June 25, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m)

Location	Street address	ZIP code
Parkway Central Library	1901 Vine St.	19103
Kingsessing Library (Sun: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Mon & Tues: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Wed: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.)	1201 S. 51st St.	19143
Romanita G de Rodriguez Library	600 W. Girard Ave.	19123
Fumo Family Library	2437 S. Broad St.	19148
Haverford Library	5543 Haverford Ave.	19139
Logan Library	1333 Wagner Ave.	19141
Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library	125 S. 52nd St.	19139
Nicetown-Tioga Library	3720 N. Broad St.	19140
Northeast Regional Library	2228 Cottman Ave.	19149
Fox Chase Library	501 Rhawn St.	19111
Widener Library	2808 W. Lehigh Ave.	19132

Philadelphia Parks and Recreation locations:

Open Monday, June 23 to Wednesday, June 25, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Location	Street address	ZIP code
East Passyunk	1025 Mifflin St.	19148
Barry	1800 Johnston St.	19145
Smith	2100 S. 24th St.	19145
West Mill Creek	5100 Parrish St.	19139
8th and Diamond Playground	800 Diamond St.	19122
Penrose	1101 W. Susquehanna Ave.	19122
Dendy	1555 N. 10th St.	19122
MLK	2101 Cecil B. Moore Ave.	19121
Mander	2140 N. 33rd St.	19121
Nelson	2500 N. 3rd St.	19133
Waterloo	2501 N. Howard St.	19133
Pleasant	6757 Chew Ave.	19119
Lonnie Young	1100 E. Chelten Ave.	19138
Stenton Park	4600 N. 16th St.	19140
McCreesh Playground	6744 Regent St.	19142

Open Monday, June 23 to Wednesday, June 25, 2025, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Location	Street address	ZIP code
Northeast Older Adult Center	8101 Bustleton Ave.	19152
Juniata Older Adult Center	1251 E. Sedgeley Ave.	19134
Mann Older Adult Center	3201 N. 5th St.	19140
South Philadelphia Older Adult Center	1430 E. Passyunk Ave.	19147

PHA Community Center locations:

Location	Street address	ZIP code
Greater Gray’s Ferry Estates	3001 Moore St.	19145
Katie B. Jackson Plaza	400 N. 50th St.	19139
Abbotsford Homes	3225 McMichael St.	19129
Gladys B. Jacobs Manor	1100 Fairmount Ave.	19123
John F. Street	1100 Poplar St.	19123
Harrison Plaza	1350 N. 10th St.	19122
Johnson Homes	2500 W. Norris St.	19121
Germantown House	467 Wayne Ave.	19144

Community Partner Space locations:

Location	Street address	ZIP code	Hours
ACANA	5530 Chester Ave.	19143	11 a. m – 7 p.m.
Rising Hope for Change	1628 S. 58th St.	19142	Sunday, 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Monday – Wednesday, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Prevention Point Philadelphia	2913 – 2915 Kensington Ave.	19134	11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Philly House (MALE ONLY)	302 N. 13th St.	19107	11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Operation Save Our City (Sunshine House)	2774 Kensington Ave.	19134	11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Kensington Wellness Center	265 E. Lehigh Ave., use B St. entrance	19134	11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Philadelphia Masjid	5700 Wyalusing Ave.	19131	11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Throughout this Heat Health Emergency, the Office of Homeless Services will increase its outreach. The office says it “will take proactive measures to protect Philadelphians who are experiencing homelessness.” If you see someone on the street who may need shelter, call the outreach team at 215-232-1984.

To report a dog left outdoors in very hot weather, call the Animal Care and Control Team (ACCTPhilly) at (267) 385-3800.