On this hot July 4, it might be a good idea to swap that soda or beer for a bottle of water.<\/p>\n
Staying hydrated is just one important way city officials and healthcare providers say New Yorkers can avoid heat stroke or exhaustion during a heatwave, starting with the doozie hitting the region this week.<\/p>\n
Temperatures in New York City and the surrounding area are expected to reach the mid-90s every day from Wednesday through Saturday and could crack the triple digits on Thursday and Friday \u2014 with humidity making temps feel even hotter.<\/p>\n
The high in Central Park is expected to reach 100 degrees on Thursday, with a \u201creal feel\u201d of 109, according to Accuweather\u2019s forecast<\/a>.<\/p>\n The first major heat wave of the summer coincides with ongoing World Cup events and special celebrations for America\u2019s 250th birthday. But more mundane activities like exercising or working outdoors can also get dicey when temperatures rise \u2014 as can staying indoors without air conditioning, city officials caution.<\/p>\n New York City’s emergency rooms often see a spike in heat-related visits<\/a> when temperatures are high and extreme heat contributes to about 500 deaths in the city each year.<\/p>\n Climate change is exacerbating extreme heat in the five boroughs and a record-breaking heat wave in June of last year caused 19 heat-stress deaths, according to a recent city report<\/a>.<\/p>\n But city agencies and health care providers have plenty of tips for how to stay cool, comfortable and healthy as temperatures creep into \u201cDo The Right Thing<\/a>\u201d territory.<\/p>\n Know the signs of heat-related illness \u2014 and how to respond<\/p>\n Extreme temperatures can cause a range of heat-related illnesses<\/a>, including heat stroke, which can be life-threatening and requires a trip to the emergency room.<\/p>\n Heat stroke occurs when the body temperature rises rapidly and symptoms can include nausea, confusion, vomiting and loss of consciousness, according to the city health department.<\/p>\n Less extreme conditions, such as heat exhaustion, can include symptoms like heavy sweating, headaches, fatigue and lightheadedness. If someone has heat exhaustion, the city recommends moving to a cool and dry place, removing extra layers of clothing and drinking water.<\/p>\n \u201cIt can start out pretty insidiously and then get quite severe fairly quickly if you don\u2019t remove yourself from the heat,\u201d said Dr. \u200aLiza Hartofilis, the \u200amedical director for NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester’s emergency department.<\/p>\n She added that it\u2019s important to look out for signs of heat illness in yourself and others \u2014 and recommended erring on the side of caution.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you’re ever concerned enough where you’re wondering if you should call for help, I would always encourage people to call for help,\u201d Hartofilis said.<\/p>\n Find out if you\u2019re at higher risk for heat illness<\/p>\n Not having air conditioning at home is one of the biggest risk factors for heat-related deaths, according to the city health department. But certain health conditions and medications can also place people at higher risk, as can the use of alcohol or illicit drugs, according to the city health department.<\/p>\n For example, people with cardiac conditions are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness, as are those with cognitive issues such as dementia who might not be able to respond when they\u2019re getting too hot, Hartofilis said.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a whole host of medications that can make you a little bit more prone to heat illness, such as antihistamines,\u201d Hartofilis added.<\/p>\n The city has a long list of medications<\/a> and other substances online that could make someone more vulnerable. City officials recommend New Yorkers talk to their doctors about whether their health conditions or medications could put them at higher risk during a heat wave and how to manage their health.<\/p>\n Come up with a plan for staying cool<\/p>\n According to the city health department, air conditioning is the most effective way to protect against heat-related illness when temperatures rise \u2014 and, conversely, a lack of air conditioning at home is one of the biggest risk factors for heat-related deaths.<\/p>\n NYC Emergency Management recommends making a plan for how you\u2019ll stay cool before a heat wave hits. That includes having an AC installed at home or knowing of a nearby place that keeps temperatures frosty, such as a library or coffee shop. The city offers a searchable map of locations<\/a> where New Yorkers can cool off.<\/p>\n