Heat related deaths and illnesses are preventable. Despite this, hundreds of people in the United States are killed by extreme heat every year. Below, you will find helpful tips, information, and resources to help you stay safe in the extreme heat this summer.
The City of Buffalo has opened cooling centers starting Monday, 6/17/24. Check their web site for locations and times or call 2-1-1 for details.
Place to Stay Cool in Erie County
When the heat rises, there are many places to go to cool down! Find a list of places to stay cool in Erie County at erie.gov/staycool.
What is Extreme Heat?
Extreme heat is defined as summertime temperatures that are much hotter and/or humid than average. Because some places are hotter than others, this depends on what’s considered average for a particular location at that time of year. Humid and muggy conditions can make it seem hotter than it really is.
What Causes Heat-Related Illness?
Heat-related illnesses, like heat exhaustion or heat stroke, happen when the body is not able to properly cool itself. While the body normally cools itself by sweating, during extreme heat, this might not be enough. In these cases, a person’s body temperature rises faster than it can cool itself down. This can cause damage to the brain and other vital organs.
Some factors that might increase your risk of developing a heat-related illness include:
- High levels of humidity
- Obesity
- Fever
- Dehydration
- Prescription drug use
- Heart disease
- Mental illness
- Poor circulation
- Sunburn
- Alcohol use
Who is Most at Risk?
Older adults, the very young, and people with mental illness and chronic diseases are athighest risk. However, even young and healthy people can be affected if they participate in strenuous physical activities during hot weather.
Pets
The high activity levels of dogs, in particular, make them incredibly vulnerable to the heat.
DON'T EVER leave your pet alone in a car,even if the windows are cracked open. If you see a pet in a hot car, call 911 immediately. SeeEstimated Vehicle Interior Air Temperature v. Elapsed Timewhich shows how quickly the temperature inside your car rises.
Here are some tips for keeping your dog safe in the sun:
Learn the signs of heat exhaustion.Excessive panting, a dark purple-red tongue, and redness around the eyes are all signs that a dog may need a serious cool-down. Short-nosed dogs like boxers, bulldogs, and French bulldogs are most vulnerable.
Walk earlier and shorter.Go out before and after the peak heat of the day, and avoid too-hot pavement. Stylish booties to protect paws are a great option.
Be generous with water. A pet's drinking water should be supplied in plastic bowls that don’t trap the heat and that are constantly available during outside exercise or play. Consider setting up kiddie pools or sprinklers for dogs to run around in. The easier it is for them to access a way to cool down without your help, the better.
- Hot Weather Safety Tips for your Pets
- Please contact your veterinarian for any questions you have regarding your pets.
Seniors
- Heat and Older Adults
- Erie County Department of Senior Services
Low Income
- If you see someone in need, call 211 to have an outreach team dispatched
- Free Air Conditioner- call 1-800-342-3009 to find out if you are eligible to receive one through a Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Cooling Assistance Benefit Program
- To receive Code Blue updates for the City of Buffalo, text CodeBlueBuffalo to 898-211
- WNY Coalition for the Homeless
- Homeless Alliance of WNY
Infants and Children
DON'T EVER leave infants or children alone in a car, even if the windows are cracked open.If you see a child in a hot car, call 911 immediately. SeeEstimated Vehicle Interior Air Temperature v. Elapsed Timewhich shows how quickly the temperature inside your car rises.
Outdoor Workers
If the Power Goes Out 
If you need temporary power to provide cooling or refrigeration, be sure that portable generators are placed outside and at least 20 feet from any doors or windows. Exhaust from portable generators contains deadly carbon monoxide.
Additional Resources
- Ready Erie Appinforms and prepares Erie County residents for emergencies. Receive notifications, locate emergency shelters, view up-to-date evacuation maps, create a personalized emergency preparedness plan & more.
- Ready Wrigley provides parents, guardians, teachers, and young children with tips, activities, and a story to help the whole family prepare for emergencies.
- Air Quality: Ways to stay safe when air quality goes down
- NY State Department of Health Erie County Heat Vulnerability
- CDC Heat Risk (search by ZIP code)
- National Weather Service Heat Index
- Climate Change and Extreme Heat: What You Can Do to Prepare
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