PCA’s Heatline active today through Wednesday, July 17, 2024; Cooling Centers are open
A Heat Health Emergency (HHE) was declared for the City of Philadelphia, beginning at 8:00 a.m. Monday, July 15, 2024, and is scheduled to end at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, though it may be extended if the forecast worsens. During this time, PCA’s Heatline (215-765-9040) will be active between 8:30 a.m. and midnight.
The Heatline is open to anyone in the city and can provide information on precautions to take against the heat and heat-related illness.
Calls to the PCA Heatline can also be made on a person’s behalf or if there is a heat-related concern about someone in the community. During a Heat Health Emergency, it is especially important that everyone is vigilant about heat and how it can affect those who are most vulnerable, including children, people with disabilities and older adults. PCA encourages all Philadelphia residents to check up on anyone who may be vulnerable during this heat wave.
PCA’s Heatline call center is operated by a team of trained staff who are available to counsel callers about precautions to take against the heat and detecting signs of heat stress. City Health Department nurses will be available to speak with any callers about medical problems related to heat.
Stay cool:
- Stay in air-conditioning at home or in a cool public space. Visit www.art-reach.org or call 267-515-6720 for free or discounted indoor activities.
- The hottest part of the day is from about 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Try to stay out of the sun and avoid strenuous activities, if possible.
- Drink water or possibly a low-calorie drink that supplies the body with carbohydrates and replaces fluids and sodium, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
- If you are hot and don’t feel well, call a doctor. Call 911 if you think someone is having an emergency.
These resources may also be helpful when it’s very hot out:
- Utility Emergency Services Fund 215-814-6845: Utility and housing assistance and more. Residents can call to learn about and enroll in state and federal benefits.
- The Office of Homeless Services: If you see someone on the street who needs help, call 215-232-1984 or 911.
Other resources:
- Philadelphia Extreme Heat Guide: www.phila.gov/heat
- Extreme heat brochures, flyers, and newsletters: https://bit.ly/PHPGuidance
- Free materials, translated into many common languages, and can be printed and mailed to your address.
Reach out to publichealthpreparedness@phila.gov with any questions, requests for presentations about staying safe in extreme heat, an information table at your next event, or additional resources!
