Mayor Menino Declares Heat Emergency with Temperatures Expected to Reach 100 DegreesReprinted from a City of Boston press release.
With temperatures expected to reach 100 degrees this week, Mayor Thomas M. Menino today declared a heat emergency in the city and will expand services during this dangerous stretch of hot weather.
“The heat that we are expecting in our city this week presents a dangerous situation to many of our residents,” Mayor Menino said. “We are preparing by adding additional resources to help assist residents keep cool and healthy. I am appealing to everyone in our city to check on your neighbors, especially those who are elderly or infirmed.”
Starting today and going through Thursday, the city will extend pool hours until 9:00 p.m. and will open cooling centers. A list of locations can be found below. The city will also be making automated phone calls to all households asking residents to check on neighbors and alerting residents to city services.
Elderly residents are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses and injuries, but everyone should remember to limit their activities during very hot weather, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid beverages that contain caffeine or alcohol. Additional measures to beat the heat include avoiding cooking, taking cool showers or baths, and wearing loose, light-colored clothing.
The city’s Commission on the Affairs of the Elderly has put out alerts and will distribute information to the elderly about the upcoming heat wave. Elderly residents are advised to call the Elderly Commission at 617-635-4366 or the Mayor’s 24 – Hour hotline at 617-635-4500 if they experience problems and to drink plenty of water and avoid outside activity. The city is also reaching out to all elderly homebound clients and congregate housing sites to make sure they have what they need. The Mayor’s Senior Shuttle will be on call all to accommodate any requests for rides to cooling centers.
Residents are reminded that fire hydrants should not be tampered with or opened; doing so may hinder fire prevention capabilities. Residents who see open hydrants should immediately report the situation to the Mayor’s 24 Hour Hotline at (617) 635-4500. Open hydrants reduce water pressure and put both neighborhoods and firefighters at risk in the event of a fire.
The City has been in touch with NStar on any possible power outages due to expected record-breaking demand for electricity and is asking all residents to conserve energy over the next few days.
All residents should limit their exertion outdoors and should be mindful of warning signs for heat illness, which include: dizziness, weakness, fainting and vomiting, stomach cramps or cramping of the legs or arms, and confusion and agitation. If anyone experiences any of the symptoms listed above, they should first stop what they are doing and, if possible, move themselves to a cooler area. If symptoms persist, call 9-1-1 immediately. Family, friends and neighbors are also urged to check in frequently with elderly residents who may need assistance during the hot weather.
For questions about heat-related city services, residents should call the Mayor’s 24-Hour Hotline at 617 635-4500.
View the press release for a list of COOLING CENTERS & POOLS

Mayor Menino Declares Heat Emergency with Temperatures Expected to Reach 100 DegreesReprinted from a City of Boston press release.
With temperatures expected to reach 100 degrees this week, Mayor Thomas M. Menino today declared a heat emergency in the city and will expand services during this dangerous stretch of hot weather.
“The heat that we are expecting in our city this week presents a dangerous situation to many of our residents,” Mayor Menino said. “We are preparing by adding additional resources to help assist residents keep cool and healthy. I am appealing to everyone in our city to check on your neighbors, especially those who are elderly or infirmed.”
Starting today and going through Thursday, the city will extend pool hours until 9:00 p.m. and will open cooling centers. A list of locations can be found below. The city will also be making automated phone calls to all households asking residents to check on neighbors and alerting residents to city services.
Elderly residents are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses and injuries, but everyone should remember to limit their activities during very hot weather, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid beverages that contain caffeine or alcohol. Additional measures to beat the heat include avoiding cooking, taking cool showers or baths, and wearing loose, light-colored clothing.
The city’s Commission on the Affairs of the Elderly has put out alerts and will distribute information to the elderly about the upcoming heat wave. Elderly residents are advised to call the Elderly Commission at 617-635-4366 or the Mayor’s 24 – Hour hotline at 617-635-4500 if they experience problems and to drink plenty of water and avoid outside activity. The city is also reaching out to all elderly homebound clients and congregate housing sites to make sure they have what they need. The Mayor’s Senior Shuttle will be on call all to accommodate any requests for rides to cooling centers.
Residents are reminded that fire hydrants should not be tampered with or opened; doing so may hinder fire prevention capabilities. Residents who see open hydrants should immediately report the situation to the Mayor’s 24 Hour Hotline at (617) 635-4500. Open hydrants reduce water pressure and put both neighborhoods and firefighters at risk in the event of a fire.
The City has been in touch with NStar on any possible power outages due to expected record-breaking demand for electricity and is asking all residents to conserve energy over the next few days.
All residents should limit their exertion outdoors and should be mindful of warning signs for heat illness, which include: dizziness, weakness, fainting and vomiting, stomach cramps or cramping of the legs or arms, and confusion and agitation. If anyone experiences any of the symptoms listed above, they should first stop what they are doing and, if possible, move themselves to a cooler area. If symptoms persist, call 9-1-1 immediately. Family, friends and neighbors are also urged to check in frequently with elderly residents who may need assistance during the hot weather.
For questions about heat-related city services, residents should call the Mayor’s 24-Hour Hotline at 617 635-4500.
View the press release for a list of COOLING CENTERS & POOLS