Where to cool off in a Philadelphia heat wave

Philly summer is no joke. Traditionally, heat waves occur at least once a summer, if not more, and last for days. And with some of the hottest days on record hitting the country in recent years, knowing how to stay cool is more important than ever.

During a heat wave, temperatures are dangerously hot, and with its many cars, crowds of people, and random blasts of heat from sidewalk grates or passing buses, Philly can feel hotter than towns outside of the city.

During city-designated heat emergencies, the city deploys a number of special programs, like cooling centers and cooling buses.

Here’s what to know about staying cool this summer:

» READ MORE: How to stay cool in Philly without air conditioning

There are different kinds of heat emergencies in Philadelphia. The National Weather Service, the Department of Public Health, and the Office of Homeless Services can issue alerts when the weather is hot.

The city declares heat emergencies by looking at the time of year, the forecast, and how long the heat is expected to last.

The city is more likely to declare an emergency in May and June than in July and August because people are more used to the heat in the hotter months.

Early in the season, the city will declare an emergency when the weather is likely to be 101 or higher for two consecutive days, or 98 or higher for three consecutive days.

Later in the season, a forecast of 106 or higher for two consecutive days, or 103 for three consecutive days, will trigger a heat emergency.

Cooling centers operate only if the city declares a heat emergency.

To keep people cool during heat emergencies, the city turns to a resource it already has: the library. Designated libraries become spaces where people can go to get out of the hot sun.

For 2024, the following 14 library branches are designated as potential cooling centers:

Keep in mind, an official list of cooling centers and hours of operation, is announced with each heat wave alert.

The Free Library will update its blog with any changes to hours, and you can view standard operating hours on its website. The public is not only welcome to the air-conditioning but can also enjoy library amenities, such as internet access.

Throughout the summer months, you can head to one of the city’s public pools or spraygrounds (think of a smaller version of Dilworth Park’s massive concrete sprinkler system built into a local playground).

To find your closest sprayground, see this map or call 311.

For swimming, 25 public pools will be open for summer by the end of the week; the remaining pools will open on a rolling basis. If you live in an area where two swimming pools are close by, they might operate on a split schedule, so make sure to check the map before heading there.

» READ MORE: The best public pools in Philly

Will swimming when it’s hot out really cool me off? According to physicians, it will.

“One of the ways the body thermoregulates is through conduction, which is transferring heat from the body to a cooler surface that it’s in contact with,” said Aditi Chincholi, a primary care physician at Mercy Health Associates at Chestnut Street. “Swimming would transfer excess body heat to the water in the pool, which will help regulate body temperature and keep it within normal body limits.”

Water in outdoor pools is typically cool and circulated, so even when it’s sunny and scorching out, a pool that’s at body temperature or below will help keep you cool.

“Don’t forget to stay well-hydrated and drink electrolytes and cool water,” Chincholi said. “Make sure you’re wearing loose clothes and sunscreen if you’re going to be out in the sun.

Staying cool during a heat wave is important, especially for kids and senior citizens, who are much more vulnerable to excessive heat.

If you need help identifying signs of heat exhaustion or are worried about someone’s health, the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging has a heat-line where nurses from the city’s Health Department will assist you. Call 215-765-9040 between noon to 8 p.m.

As you work on keeping everyone at home cool, don’t forget to check on your pet.

“Like people, pets are pretty good at making choices to keep themselves cool if they are given the opportunity,” said Art City Vets & Urgent Care veterinarian Zachary Glantz.

Be sure to give your pet access to water and take breaks while walking, even if your pet doesn’t want to stop.

The city encourages everyone to wear light colors, avoid drinking alcohol, stay in air-conditioned spaces, and check on relatives and friends to make sure fans and air-conditioners are working.

Staff writer Anthony R. Wood contributed to this article. This article has been updated since it first published.