Sun Safety

child with mother using sunscreen

Stay Cool Locations
Please check with your local municipality to find out if they are opening temporary cooling centers on hot days. Here you can find links to city, town and village webpages.

If you need a free place to cool off, try your local library, senior center, or shopping mall. Call ahead to make sure that it’s open when you want to go. Bookstores and coffee shops are also places where you can relax and often enjoy free wi-fi.  A few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.

When high humidity and high temperatures are forecast, the Health Department recommends that residents avoid strenuous activity, drink lots of water, avoid alcohol and caffeine, and take precautions to prevent heat-related illness.

Follow these tips to prevent heat-related illness:

  • Limit any strenuous activity and exercise, especially during the sun's peak hours from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • If you must exercise or work outdoors during extreme heat, take frequent breaks and drink lots of water to avoid dehydration.
  • Avoid caffeine, alcohol and sugary drinks. These cause you to lose more body fluid.
  • Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing to reflect heat and sunlight.
  • NEVER leave anyone - a person or animal - in a closed, parked vehicle.  Temperatures inside a closed vehicle can quickly exceed 140º F, which is life-threatening. 
  • Check on elderly neighbors to make sure they are safe.
  • Bring pets inside and be sure to provide them with plenty of water.
  • Stay indoors, ideally in an air-conditioned place.
  • Take a cool shower or bath.
  • If your house or apartment isn't air-conditioned, spend a few hours at a shopping mall, public library, movie theater or supermarket.  

Heat-related illness and deaths are preventable if you take the appropriate steps. It's important to recognize the symptoms and understand how to prevent and respond to heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Ozone Levels
Elevated heat and humidity can also lead to unhealthy ozone levels. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation forecasts daily ozone conditions on its Web site for the New York Metropolitan area, which includes Westchester County. Air quality updates are also provided daily on the New York State Air Quality Hotline at (800) 535-1345.

Sun Safety
Did you know that even a few serious sunburns can increase your risk of skin cancer later in life? Fortunately, most skin cancers can be prevented by following these tips:

  • Stay in the shade, especially during midday hours.
  • Wear clothing that covers your arms and legs.
  • Wear sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays.
  • Use sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or higher that provides both UVA and UVB protection.
  • Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours and after swimming, sweating or toweling off.
  • Avoid indoor tanning.
  • If you need a free place to cool off, try temporary cooling centers throughout the County.

Sun Safety Resources