Rockland County Department of Health urges residents to take these simple steps to stay cool and help prevent heat-related illnesses:

• Use air-conditioning to cool down.  Stay indoors in a place with working air conditioning. If you do not have air conditioning at home, spend time in air-conditioned places such as libraries, movies, malls, or other public buildings during the hottest hours of the day. Cooling centers are places where people may go to cool down during hot weather. You can call your town or village for a list of cooling centers near you. Before going to a cooling center, it’s important to call ahead to make sure it’s open, as some cooling centers are only open during regular business hours and during officially declared heat emergencies and extreme heat events.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink more fluids. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and sugary drinks. If your doctor generally limits the amount you drink or has you on water pills, ask how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
• Beat the heat with cool showers and baths.
• Stay out of the sun as much as possible.  Avoid activities that involve a lot of energy or effort during the hottest part of the day, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., and take many breaks from physical activity.
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing to help keep cool.
• Wear sunscreen and a ventilated hat (such as straw or mesh) when outside in the sun and even when it is cloudy.
• Talk to your healthcare provider about any medicine or drugs you take. Certain medications can increase the risk of heat-related illness. These medications affect the body’s ability to sweat and stay cool. Do NOT stop taking medication unless instructed to do so by your doctor.
• Never leave children, pets, or those with special needs in a parked car, even briefly. Even with a window cracked open, temperatures in the car can become dangerous within a few minutes.  Always check that no one is left inside your vehicle before locking it up.
• Keep your pets safe. Asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet’s paws, so walk your dog on the grass if possible, and bring lots of water on walks.
• Check in on your family, friends, and neighbors.  Heat and humidity can be dangerous for anyone, especially older adults, young children, and those with chronic medical conditions such as heart and breathing or lung problems.
• Check the Air Quality Index to find out how clean or polluted your air is, what associated health effects might be a concern for you, and whether  you need to limit outdoor activities. Rockland County is considered part of the NYC Metro region. If you would like to get air quality notifications, sign up for Enviroflash.

For more information about keeping cool in the summer heat, visit the New York State Department of Health.