Extreme Heat
Climate change is heating the planet, and the last few years were among the hottest on record. Research suggests New England is warming faster than other parts of the world. In Cambridge, high temperatures are becoming more common – and heat waves are lasting longer.
That means our bodies have less time to recover. Extreme heat can affect everyone, but older adults, children, outdoor workers, and people with existing illnesses are especially at risk.
The City is taking steps to prepare. Resilience Hubs, Cool Spots, and NeighborHubs like The Foundry offer places to stay cool. Programs like Shade is Social Justice are creating more shady spaces where people can find relief, while Urban Forestry staff are planting trees suited for a warming climate.
Cambridge is also working with MIT to map temperatures using sensors, and studying rooftops to develop cooling strategies. Heat Justice Liaisons are working with communities to create more solutions.
You can help keep the City and its residents safe. Below you'll find practical information to help you prepare for extreme heat, recognize signs of heat illness, and keep yourself and your neighbors safe when temperatures rise.
Prepare for Extreme Heat
Download this flyer from the state of Massachusetts here.
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
- Hot, red, or moist skin
- Rapid pulse
If you notice these symptoms in yourself or someone else, move to a cooler place, drink water, 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 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
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 elderly neighbors twice a day during a heat wave. Young children and people with chronic health conditions should also be monitored for heat-related illnesses.
- 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.
Call 911 if you see someone with signs of heat stroke. What to look for: high temperature; hot red, dry, or damp skin; fast, strong pulse; headache; dizziness; nausea; confusion; and losing consciousness. Heat stroke can be fatal, so it is important to get immediate medical attention.
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.
Learn More About How to Handle Heat
Specialists at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Climate and Environmental Health, are available to answer your questions at (617) 624-5757 (TTY: (617) 624-5286). Do not call during an emergency.
Printable Resources
Download printable heat-safety flyers:
These are also available in the following languages:
For more detailed downloadable resources: