Stay in the Game This Summer With Health and Safety Tips From the NYC Health Department

Stay in the Game This Summer With Health and Safety Tips From the NYC Health Department

NYC Health Officials Remind New Yorkers to Take Simple Precautions During the Hottest Events This Summer

June 12, 2026 - Stay hot, but keep cool, New York City. Between the NBA Finals, America's 250th birthday, the FIFA World Cup, Sail4th 250, Pride Month, and our iconic annual parades, New York City is hosting the biggest, most crowded summerlong party in its history over the next few months. With millions of visitors expected from June to August, the NYC Health Department is here with a friendly reminder: You can't enjoy the festivities if you're sidelined by heatstroke or other illnesses.

"Whether you're bomba dancing in the Puerto Rican Day Parade, cheering on the Knicks in the NBA Finals, hanging with friends at a World Cup watch party, catching the Fourth of July fireworks, or rejoicing in Juneteenth and Pride, New York City's summer belongs to all of us. We're here to make sure you have the time of your life and make it home safely and in good health," said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin. "We want all New Yorkers to have the best summer ever, but we also want you to do it safely. Heat exhaustion, infectious diseases, and other health risks are totally preventable with a few simple steps."

Your Summer Survival Checklist

To keep the party going strong all summer, keep these tips handy:

• If you don't have access to air-conditioning, cooling centers are available across the city during heat waves. Visit the NYC Cool Options Map to locate nearby places to stay cool.
• Drink water regularly, aiming for at least 8 ounces every hour you're outside. Remember that sweet drinks and alcohol will actually dehydrate you faster. New York City Parks' Cool It! NYC map can help you find places near you to hydrate, refresh, and stay in the shade.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing and put on sunscreen every two hours. Take a break in the shade during peak heat hours between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Visit nyc.gov/beattheheat for more health tips.
• Dizziness, nausea, or confusion mean it's time to get out of the sun immediately. Call 911 if symptoms are severe.
• Ensure you and your family are up to date on routine vaccines before traveling abroad or mixing into large crowds. To find locations throughout NYC that provide vaccination services for children and adults, search the NYC Health Map or call 311.
• Leave the fireworks to the pros. Consumer fireworks are illegal in NYC. Avoid injuries (and fines), kick back, and watch the free public pyrotechnics.
• Huge crowds and high temperatures can be overwhelming. If the stress gets to you, call 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org for free, confidential, 24/7 assistance.
• Use insect repellent and wear long sleeves at dawn and dusk to keep mosquitoes, which can carry disease, at bay. Prevent tick bites with an EPA-registered tick repellent, and check yourself and your pets for ticks after being in wooded areas.
• If you use drugs or alcohol, plan ahead and consider creating a safety plan to protect yourself and others from overdose and other harms. Naloxone is a safe medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Get free naloxone in NYC. Visit the Alcohol and Drug Use Services page for more information.
• If you have sex, use safer sex strategies such as condoms, PrEP and emergency PEP to prevent HIV, doxy PEP to prevent certain STIs, and birth control to prevent pregnancy. Learn more at nyc.gov/sexualhealth.
• Ensure your health insurance is up to date. With the Essential Plan ending on June 30, many New Yorkers are at risk of losing coverage. The City's health insurance enrollment counselors can help you enroll or renew your health coverage, in addition to assisting with applying for other benefits, such as SNAP. To make the most informed decision about you and your family's health coverage, speak with an enrollment counselor by calling 311, texting "CoveredNYC" to 55676, or visiting nyc.gov/healthcoverage.

"New York City is set to welcome millions of people this summer for celebrations and events that showcase the very best of our city," said Council Member Lynn Schulman, Chair of the Committee on Health. "As New Yorkers and visitors enjoy everything the season has to offer, taking simple precautions can go a long way toward preventing illness and injury. Whether it's staying hydrated during extreme heat, protecting yourself from mosquito and tick bites, or making a plan to stay safe at large gatherings, small steps can have a big impact on your health and well-being. I applaud Commissioner Dr. Alister F. Martin and the New York City Health Department for providing New Yorkers with the information and resources they need to stay healthy and enjoy a safe summer."

For the latest summer health guidance, safety information, and free health resources, visit nyc.gov/healthysummer or follow @nychealthy on social media.

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