City of Cambridge Declares Heat Emergency Through July 4

The National Weather Service forecast indicates that an extended period of extreme temperatures and humidity will be arriving in the Cambridge area tomorrow. Sustained high temperatures and heat indices are expected to last into the weekend. As a result, the City of Cambridge has declared a heat emergency through July 4.

Hot weather and extreme heat can cause serious illness and can even be life-threatening. Heat-related illnesses, like heat stroke and dehydration, can occur.
There is an increased risk for heat-related illness in high-risk populations including older adults and young children, people with chronic medical conditions, unhoused individuals, and those who work outside.

Residents are encouraged to stay hydrated and spend time in air-conditioned places such as malls, community spaces like the Foundry, and public libraries.

• Cambridge Public Branch libraries will welcome people seeking to cool off during regular hours and will have water bubblers available. Branch hours and locations can be found on the library's website.
  
  Due to the Independence Day holiday, all branch libraries will be closed on Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4.
  
  
• This week, The Foundry will be open on Wednesday, July 1 from 2-8 p.m., Thursday, July 2 from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Friday, July 3 from 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Sunday, July 5 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Residents can also visit pools and parks with water features.

• Over the holiday, Gold Star Pool on Berkshire Street will be open on Friday, July 3 from 2-7p.m. and Saturday, July 4 and Sunday, July 5 from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
• The War Memorial Pool at the War Memorial Recreation Center will be closed on Friday, July 3.
• All waterplay areas are activated with the exception of Donnelly Field and Timothy J. Toomey Park, which are undergoing repairs and currently not in service.
• Two additional pools in Cambridge are operated by the state's Department of Conversation and Recreation (DCR).

Visit cambridgema.gov/heat for detailed information about how to stay safe in the heat.

Outreach teams will be utilized to support the unhoused community during extreme heat. If you are concerned about a person who is unhoused, please call First Step at (617) 592-6895 or call 911 if the person is experiencing an emergency.

Due to the extreme heat, residents staying area shelters, including the CASPAR Shelter at 240 Albany Street and the Salvation Army in Central Square, will be allowed to stay or drop-in during extended day hours.

Teams with the Cambridge Police, Cambridge Fire, Pro EMS, the CARE Team, library staff, and other community partners will be proactively checking on our unhoused residents and have cold water and medical support readily accessible for any individuals in need.

PREPARE FOR EXTREME HEAT

Learn the Signs of Heat-Related Illness

Extreme heat causes the body to lose fluids quickly through sweating. This can lead to dehydration and serious heat-related illness. People most at risk include older adults, children, pregnant people, people experiencing homelessness, outdoor workers, and people with chronic health conditions.

Common warning signs include:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Muscle cramps
• High body temperature
• Cool and clammy skin
• Rapid pulse

If you notice these symptoms in yourself or someone else, move to a cooler place and seek medical help if symptoms worsen. Learn more about heat-related illness and when to seek medical care from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and at Heat.gov.

Know How Your Medications Interact with Heat and Sun

Some medications can increase the risk of heat-related illness. Medications can increase sensitivity to the heat or the sun, reduce thirst, impair sweating, and cause other effects that put people more at risk as the temperature rises. Heat can also degrade medications. Since individuals aged 65 and over and those with chronic illnesses are more likely to take medications, they are more likely to be impacted by these issues.

• Talk to your doctor about your medications to learn which ones can increase the risk of heat-related illness or sunburn/skin irritation.
• Store medications properly.
• Do not stop taking your medications without consulting your medical provider.
• Some skincare products can make you more sensitive to the sun. Read product labels and practice wearing sunscreen and other sun protection methods while using these products.

Know Where to Cool Down

During extreme heat, it’s important to know where you can go to cool off and stay hydrated — especially if your home loses power or doesn’t have air conditioning. If you have to spend time outside, plan to be in the shade, or in the water. Make a list of nearby places to go to stay cool, and keep it somewhere easy to find.

Places to cool off in Cambridge include:

• Free public indoor spaces like Cambridge Public Libraries and The Foundry
• Cambridge Cool Spots — public outdoor spaces where residents can cool off
• MIT Cool Spots open to the public
• The Cambridge Senior Center (for older adults)
• Air-conditioned public places such as movie theaters or CambridgeSide
• Splash pads and pools
• Parks with water features
• Pools operated by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation — including Veterans Memorial Pool and McCrehan Memorial Pool — are also open in Cambridge.

WHAT TO DO ONCE HEAT HITS

Keep Your Home Cool

• Close windows and blinds during the hottest parts of the day. Turn off non-essential lights and appliances to conserve energy and help avoid power disruptions. If the temperature cools off at night, open your windows to “flush” rooms. Opening windows across from each other will help air flow, too.
• Use air conditioning or fans when possible. If you're concerned about electricity costs, check if you're eligible for discounted rates from Eversource or through the Cambridge Energy Alliance.

Take Care of Yourself

• Stay hydrated. Drink water regularly, even if you don't feel thirsty. During extreme heat, aim for two to four glasses of water per hour. Avoid alcohol, excessive caffeine, and sugary drinks. Bring water with you.
• Limit outdoor activity to early morning or evening. If you must be outside, take frequent breaks in the shade. Learn more on the FDA’s website.
• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun. Use sunscreen and lip balm with sunscreen.
• Take cool showers or use damp cloths or cooling towels on your neck and wrists to lower your body temperature.
• Check your skin regularly. Keep an eye on your skin for any new spots, spots that itch, or a mole that is changing shape, size, or color. Learn how to do a skin self-exam and how to check your skin for signs of cancer. Learn more on the American Academy of Dermatology Association’s How to Treat Sunburn page and the CDC’s Sun Exposure at Work page.

Take Care of Others

• Check on older neighbors twice a day during extreme heat. Young children and people with chronic health conditions should also be monitored for heat-related illnesses.
• Know the signs of heat-related illnesses and the proper responses.
• Check on people who are unhoused. If you are concerned about a person who is unhoused, please call First Step at (617) 592-6895 or call 911 if the person is experiencing an emergency.

Keep Pets Safe

Extreme heat can also be dangerous for pets. Never leave animals in a parked car, even with windows open. It can get dangerously hot quickly. Pets cannot cool themselves as efficiently as humans. Make sure they have:

• Plenty of fresh water
• Shade
• A cool indoor space when possible
• Hot pavement can burn your pet’s paws. Walk dogs during cooler hours of the day. Learn more about keeping pets safe with these tips.