Heat Health Emergency issued in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The Philadelphia Health Department has declared a Heat Health Emergency due to the dangerous temperatures.

According to AccuWeather, the unofficial high on Thursday in Philadelphia was 93 with a peak heat index of 101. But many of our surrounding suburbs, mainly south and east, have seen heat indices between 102-104 degrees.

The Heat Health Emergency is scheduled to end at 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 29, 2023, according to officials.

More than 600 people die each year from heat-related complications in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Follow these tips from AccuWeather to make sure you stay safe during a heat wave as the temperature rises.

With temperatures heating up, many people will be trying to find ways to cool off.

"We stay in the fountains all day. We've been coming out earlier in the morning and keeping cool, and then in the afternoons we've been staying indoors," said Ash Phan of Center City.

There are more than 90 splash pads and spraygrounds open and free to the public in Philadelphia.

People who work outdoors or in hot environments, such as landscapers or food services workers, should take extra precautions during heat waves.

Cooling off at the library is also an option.

"You can come into the library, you can even use a computer without a library card, the library is open and free to everyone," said Jane Easley with the Philadephia Library.

Because the health department ordered a heat health emergency, 32 locations, including 13 libraries, have been designated as cooling centers.

You can find a list of cooling centers here.

Some Philadelphia residents opted for sweet treats to keep cool.

At St. John's Water Ice in South Philadelphia, a constant line of people was at the doors.

"Grabbing myself a lemon, two quarts," said local resident Fred Palumbo.

It's important to keep an eye on pets as well.

Cecilia Nunes says her dog Ginko needs frequent breaks on days like Thursday.

"Trying to get out before it's too hot. And as soon as we get home lots of water and ice cubes. He loves ice," said Nunes of Center City.

Officials are also working to keep the power going during these hot days.

PJM supplies electricity to energy service providers like PECO. The company predicts that Thursday's demand will surpass last year's peak.

"We're in our alert phase for this," said Michael Bryson, senior vice president at PJM.

Any Philadelphia resident can call the heatline to get health and safety tips and to talk to medical professionals to discuss conditions and illnesses made worse by the heat.