Extreme Heat Communications Resources

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Extreme Heat Communications Resources
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MAPC >> Resources >> Community Engagement >> Extreme Heat Communications Resources

Extreme Heat Communications and Social Media Toolkit

A resource for Massachusetts cities and towns

Of all weather-related hazards, extreme heat is responsible for the most deaths annually. In 2022, there were 49 days in Massachusetts where temperatures exceeded 90F. Compared to the averaged 11 days a year from 1971-2000, this increase in extreme heat days is of great concern especially for vulnerable populations (seniors, children, etc). In the Northeast, higher temperatures cause poor air quality, exacerbating existing health conditions. 

Staying safe in extreme heat is essential in the summer, especially for those without air conditioning. On this page, we've compiled flyers, sample social media posts, and images that cities and towns can use to spread the word to their followers. 

Have questions or need help? Please email the MAPC Clean Energy team: [email protected]

More on Extreme Heat

Extreme Heat Flyers (Editable)

Arabic

082520 MAPC Extreme Heat Brochure (Arabic) AUG2020-136 MAPA

Color Version
B&W Version

English

MAPC Extreme Heat Brochure (ENG)

Color Version
B&W Version

Haitian

082520 MAPC Extreme Heat Brochure (Haitian) AUG2020-137 MAPA

Color Version
B&W Version

Portuguese

082520 MAPC Extreme Heat Brochure (PORT) AUG2020-138 MAPA

Color Version
B&W Version

Spanish

082520 MAPC Extreme Heat Brochure (SPA) AUG2020-139 MAPA

Color Version
B&W Version

Social Media Basics: How to Post

Social Media Tips and Best Practices
Social Media Tips and Best Practices
  •  Know Your Audience: Who are you posting this information to? Residents? Create your social posts with that audience in mind. 
  • Know the Platform: The social media platform you are using to post on should inform how and what you're posting. For example, posting on Twitter is for more immediate, word-limited posts. LinkedIn is for professional audiences, and there isn't a word limit.  Facebook is for more casual posts. You can use the same post across platforms, but we recommend slight modifications to cater to each form of media. 
  • Accessibility: Ensure your social posts are accessible to all by making sure to provide a written description of the images used to your caption (known as alternative text), and if you use hashtags, capitalize the first letter of each word. Learn about ways to make your posts accessible. 
  • Interactive: Amplify other social media accounts such as official sources, agencies, and experts, by sharing or retweeting their posts. Be sure to use the Stories function on Facebook and Instagram for this. 
  • Tag Us! Be sure to tag MAPC in your social posts to reach a larger audience. Please feel free to also retweet any posts we do as well. 
  • Hashtags You Can Use: #ExtremeHeat  #HeatWave #KeepCoolMetroBoston #HeatPrep2023 
How to post on Facebook
How to post on Twitter

Social Media Graphics

Right-click on the images below and choose "save image as" to save to your computer. Then, compose your own social media post or use some of the sample language we provide for each. Also provided is alt text examples for each image.

Canceled due to extreme heat in white and yellow, letters are outlined in black, and the background is a red color.
Aqua snowflake in a white circle. Red box says, Cooling Centers Open. Has text about if you need a space to keep cool and to call 311.
Heat Alert: Hot Day Ahead with smaller text. A illustrated woman in a pink short and an ilustrative man in a pink shirt. Background is orange.
Alt text: graphic split down the center. On the left side, blue background has a fan image and text: “Fans alone can’t prevent heat-related illness when the temperature is over 95 degrees!”. On the right side, light green background has a window image and text: “Keep the heat out by closing windows and blinds during the day.” At the top center of the graphic is an orange conversation bubble with the text: “Stay safe in high heat”.
Alt text: graphic with blue top and orange bottom background. Blue top has text: “never leave pets or children in a hot car.” Orange bottom has text on lefthand side: “It only takes a few minutes for the inside of a car to heat up, even with the windows cracked. Call 911 if you see a child alone in a car or a pet in distress.” On the right-hand side of text is an image of a yellow car with a child and a dog inside.
Alt text: graphic with orange background. Center top text: “Dress for Hot Weather”. Below has 5 vertical sections from left to right: sunscreen bottle image with text: “Sunscreen” below, sunglasses image with text “sunglasses” below, green t-shirt image with text “loose-fitting, light-colored clothing” below, blue bucket hat image with text “hat” below, and reusable water bottle with text “water bottle” below.
Alt text: graphic with a blue background. Top left text: “No air conditioning?” with an AC unit image on the top righthand side. Bottom left has an orange conversation bubble with text “Know where to go on very hot days” inside. To the right is additional pink text: “Find public cooling spaces” and “Ask if you can go to a friend, family, or neighbor’s house”.
Alt text: graphic with an orange background. Thermometer on the lefthand side. The righthand side includes text: “Take special precautions on days over 90 degrees! Check the heat index, which measures how hot it feels based on temperature and humidity levels”.
Alt text: graphic with orange rectangle at the leftmost side with text: “Who is most at risk from extreme heat?”. On the right-hand side is six smaller rectangles, 3 across and 2 down. Each rectangle contains white text at the top describing the person imaged at the bottom of the box in the following order from left to right, top to bottom: Seniors, Pregnant people, Outside workers, People with preexisting conditions, Children under the age of 5, People without air conditioning.
Alt text: graphic with light orange background on left and dark orange background on the right. On the left is the following text from top to bottom: “Heat exhaustion”, “Symptoms: Heavy sweating; weakness; cold, pale, and clammy skin; fast, weak pulse; nausea or vomiting; fainting”, “What to do: move to a cooler location; lie down, loosen clothing; apply cool, wet cloths; sip water; if vomiting continues, seek medical attention”. On the right is the following text from top to bottom: “Heat Stroke”, “Symptoms: High body temperature (above 103F); hot, red, dry, or moist skin; rapid and strong pulse; possible unconsciousness”; “What to do: call 911 immediately: this is a medical emergency; move to a cooler environment; reduce body temperature with cool cloths; do not give fluids”.
Alt text: graphic with orange background on the lefthand side with text: “Heat safety tips”. On righthand side of graphic is a purple background with 10 images and corresponding text underneath. Text and image from left to right, top to bottom is as follows: snowflake image with text: “Locate an air conditioned space to keep cool in” below; clear cup with water inside image with text: “Drink plenty of water and avoid sugary or alcoholic drinks”; car image with text: “Don’t leave children or pets in parked cars”; t shirt image with text: “Wear light colored and loose fitting clothing”; sunscreen image with text: “Find shade, wear sunscreen, avoid direct sun exposure”; phone image with text: “Check in on your neighbors and family members who may be more at risk”; bowl with steam rising image with text: “Avoid eating hot foods and heavy meals”; heart with heartrate waves going through it image with text: “Learn about the symptoms of heat related illness”.
Alt text: graphic with purple background. Text from upper lefthand corner to lower lefthand corner: “Check on your neighbors! Before and on hot days, check on family, friends, and neighbors, especially the elderly, those who live alone, people with medical conditions, and people who need extra assistance.” To the right of text is five images of people at their windows offering water to one another and cooling down with a fan.
Alt text: graphic with blue background. Text in upper lefthand corner: “Swim safely! Swimming is a great way to stay cool on a hot day. It’s important to be prepared and be aware.” Text in lower righthand corner: “Swim in designated areas that are supervised by lifeguards; always swim with a friend; swim only where you are comfortable; actively supervise children and stay within arm’s reach; don’t drink alcohol and swim”.

Additional Social Media Sample Language

Copy and paste the text below--each paragraph is a new message. Be careful: some sample language needs to be edited with details specific to your municipality.

Staying Cool: Air Conditioning Resources

It’s hot today—turn on your air conditioning! Fans alone can’t prevent heat-related illness when the temp is over 95 degrees.

It’s hot today—turn on your air conditioner. Don’t have one? MassSave offers rebates for energy-efficient AC models! https://www.masssave.com/en/saving/residential-rebates/room-air-conditioners  

On days over 95 degrees, turn on your air conditioning. Don’t think you can afford it? You may qualify for discount rates from your electricity provider. Inquire today!  

(if Eversource is local provider:)
Turn on your air conditioning on days over 95 degrees. Don’t think you can afford it? You may qualify for discount rates from Eversource: https://www.eversource.com/content/ema-c/residential/my-account/billing-payments/help-pay-my-bill/discount-rate 

(If Nat’l Grid is local provider:)
Turn on your air conditioning on days over 95 degrees. Don’t think you can afford it? You may qualify for discount rates National Grid: https://www.nationalgridus.com/MA-Home/Bill-Help/Payment-Assistance-Programs  

Staying Cool: General

Heat affects us all, but some of us are at greater risk. Different people react differently to heat based on their age, health, and living conditions. Check in on your neighbors, friends, and family on hot days to make sure they’re staying cool!

Prepare for hot days! Monitor local weather reports so you know to prepare for very hot days: in the Boston area, days over 90 degrees are considered very hot.  

Where will you cool off? With a big heat wave coming up, have a plan if you don’t have air conditioning. Do you have family or friends with AC that you feel comfortable visiting? Ask them if you can come over if the day gets too hot.  

Going outside? Remember your water bottle! It’s important to stay hydrated on hot days, even if you’re not thirsty. Caffeine, alcohol, and sugary drinks may dehydrate you. #KeepCool 

Headed outdoors? Remember to dress for hot days: wear sunscreen and loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. Bring a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and water!  

It’s going to be over 90 degrees (today/this week/next weekend). This heat can be dangerous: avoid exercise or strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day, instead, try to go out in the morning or evening. 

It’s going to be over 90 degrees (today/this week/next weekend). This heat can be dangerous. If you must be outside, take breaks, stay out of direct sunlight, and look for shade trees!  

Be a good neighbor: check on family, friends, and neighbors ahead of and on hot days. Make sure they have air conditioning or somewhere to go to keep cool.  

Use with heat stroke vs. heat exhaustion graphic
Know the signs of heat-related illnesses! Call 911 immediately if you suspect someone has heat exhaustion or if someone is vomiting from the heat.