The first excessive heat warning of the summer has been issued as the temperatures are expected to reach 94 degrees (with the humidity it will feel like 107!). Philadelphia Health Commissioner Thomas Farley has issued a heat warning for Wednesday, July 6, through Friday, July 8 in conjunction with the National Weather Service’s excessive heat warning for the area.

The warning has activated the city’s special summer heat programs, including home visits by special field teams, the monitoring of the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging’s ‘Heatline’, enhanced daytime outreach for the homeless, and the City’s effort to encourage the public to look in on older friends, relatives, and neighbors.

The ‘Heatline’ (215-765-9040) will be open from 9 a.m. until midnight, on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

“We strongly urge the public to visit older friends, relatives and neighbors to ensure that air conditioners or fans are working and homes are adequately ventilated. In a heat wave, the majority of the victims are older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions,” Health Commissioner Farley said in a statement. 

Philadelphia’s Office of Supportive Housing and its partner agencies are staff are currently working to identify individuals living on the streets who are suffering from the heat. A partnership of public and private outreach teams will bring water to the homeless, encouraging them to seek shelter in air-conditioned areas, providing transportation, and calling for medical support where needed.

People who do not have air conditioning are advised to seek relief from the heat, for at least some part of the day, in shopping malls, movie theaters, senior centers and other air conditioned public spaces.

Information on the dangers of excessive heat can be found here.

If you have to spend time outside during these days make sure to drink plenty of water. And one more reminder: keep your pets inside!