Click here for a map of cooling bus, public sprayground and cooling center locations.
In addition, the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging operates its heatline from 8:30 a.m. to midnight Tuesday and Wednesday: 215-765-9040.
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A heat health emergency is in effect from Tuesday morning through Wednesday night, with high humidity and triple-digit heat indexes in the forecast.
Brandon Williams does mixed martial arts training most mornings at the front steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. He’s easy to spot because he’s known to be wearing a hoodie, no matter what the weather is like.
"It’s not as hot as I believe it is," he said of the hoodie. "It actually cools me down, honestly. I feel cool."
He pushes the people he trains, but he knows that, on days like this one, you have to be extra careful.
"I tell everybody: You know your body better than me. So, if you feel as though you need to take a break, take a break."
That's good advice. The heat health emergency in Philly is in effect through Wednesday night. Officials are asking people to stay hydrated and to check on friends, family and neighbors who may be at higher risk, including those who are sick or elderly and people without ready access to air conditioning and water.
The city is beefing up services. The Philadelphia Corporation for Aging is operating its heatline (215-765-9040), where nurses from the city's Department of Public Health are taking calls and giving advice.
Several cooling centers are open throughout the city, and SEPTA is stationing air-conditioned buses in six neighborhoods. Theresa Lester from the Germantown House on Wayne Avenue says anyone who needs a place to cool down can come on by.
"It’s vital we have plenty of water for everyone who comes though," she said.
Outreach services are working to keep the city's homeless population hydrated and in a safe space.
And the Animal Care and Control team is standing by for reports about pets that may be outside and in danger.
As temperatures skyrocket, many Philadelphians are falling back on old summer habits, like taking a dip in the Swann Memorial Fountain in Logan Square. That's where Niel and his brother Masiah were on Monday afternoon.
Their mother Veronika says her boys take after her and enjoy the summer heat: "I love the heat. It’s better than the ice and snow."
Grandpa Darrel takes a more practical approach.
"You got to be in good health to be out here. Or you should," he said, "because it’s dangerous."
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After a dip in the fountain, Karlo from North Philadelphia said he was headed to his neighborhood cooling center at Wyoming and Rising Sun avenues.
"Cooling centers are necessities," he admitted.
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Robert Wagner said cooling centers are a good idea, but he prefers a park bench.
"Playing it smart. When the clouds go over the sun, you get that cool breeze," Wagner said, but he's not getting carried away. He said he would go to the cooling center in West Philadelphia as temperatures rise.
"It's hot out here," he plainly stated. "If you're not careful and stay hydrated, this will send you to the ER, real quick."