Public Health Preparedness

 
Stay Safe During Cold Weather

Code Blue sheltering will be provided and can be accessed:

During business hours (Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.):

• Go to the Department of Social Services (DSS) at 320 W. MLK/State St., or
• Call DSS Emergency Housing Services at 607-274-5030

Weekdays after hours and on weekends or holidays:

• Call non-emergency dispatch at 607-272-2444 to be connected to DSS on-call

Sheltering will be provided for those in need. Information regarding other services, supports, and community resources are made available to those utilizing emergency shelter. Shelter for anyone who qualifies as homeless is available year-round by applying at Tompkins County Social Services.

Community Warming Center on Code Blue nights

WHEN: November 1–30, from 5–10 p.m.
WHERE: the First Baptist Church, 309 N. Cayuga St. (Dewitt Park), downtown Ithaca

• Access to a phone line
• Help navigating Code Blue shelter
• Handwarmers, socks, plus other supplies
• A warm place to sit

This warming center is a collaborative effort of the Ithaca Tenants Union, Food Not Bombs, and the First Baptist Church of Ithaca. It is for people who do not have access to a reliable cell phone to call DSS after they close at 4:30pm, as well as to provide residents with free supplies and a warm place to stay for a few hours on code blue nights. 

Stay Safe During Hot Weather

Summertime heat can be dangerous for anyone. Some people are at risk of serious health effects – even death – from getting overheated. Health risks include dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and worsening of health conditions.

NWS HeatRisk national map. Go there for a 7-day forecast map and description of Risk of Heat-Related Impacts by category.

Prepare for a Heat Wave

• Know the symptoms of heat-related illnesses.
• Make sure that you can open your windows and/or that your air conditioner is working properly.
• Find out where cooling centers are near you, and when they are open.
• Choose someone that you can call for help or who can check on you.
• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about medications that might make you sensitive to the sun or heat.

Overheated

Heat-related illnesses occur when the body is unable to cool itself. The most common heat-related illnesses are heat stroke (sun stroke), heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash. Here are the symptoms and first-aid responses. NYSDOH web page of symptoms and first-aid responses.

Cooling Centers

Cooling centers are facilities where you can go to cool off during extreme heat. If a cooling center is not available, libraries, supermarkets, malls, and community swimming pools are great places to stay cool.

List of Cooling Centers by County
(In "List" view, scroll county dropdown menu to Tompkins.)

Remember, call before you go! Cooling centers may be closed at certain times or only available during extreme heat events. The phone number and address of each cooling center is provided in the listing. (Compiled by the NYS Department of Health and represents the most up to date information provided by local agencies.)

More Information

• Tompkins Ready
• NYSDOH Keep Your Cool During Summer Heat
  • NYSDOH Keep Your Cool During Summer Heat PDF
• NYSDOH Extreme Heat Advice
• NYSDOH Keep Kids Out of Hot Cars
• CDC's Heat & Pregnancy Toolkit
• NOAA National Weather Service HeatRisk Map