Real Estate Investor Pleads Guilty to $54.7M Mortgage Fraud Conspiracy

 

A New Jersey man pleaded guilty to engaging in an extensive, multi-year conspiracy to fraudulently obtain over $54.7 million in loans and to fraudulently acquire multifamily and commercial properties.

According to court documents, between 2016 and 2022, Aron Puretz, 53, conspired with others to deceive lenders into issuing multifamily and commercial mortgage loans. Puretz and his co-conspirators provided the lenders with fictitious documents, including purchase contracts with inflated purchase prices, fake financial statements, and other fraudulent documents. Puretz was an employee of Apex Equity Group, a real estate investment and advisory firm, and one of the owners of Maple Lawn in Eureka, Illinois, and Big Country Chateau in Little Rock, Arkansas, both multifamily properties, and Troy Technology Park in Troy, Michigan, a commercial property.

In February 2017, Maple Lawn was acquired for $4.1 million. However, Puretz and his co-conspirators from Apex Equity Group utilized the identity of a co-conspirator to present a lender and Freddie Mac with a purchase and sale contract for $5.8 million and other fraudulent documents. On Feb. 17, 2017, a title and settlement company based in Lakewood, New Jersey, performed two closings, one for the true $4.1 million sales price and another for the fraudulent $5.8 million sales price presented to the lender. Furthermore, part of the conspiracy was to create a nonprofit entity, JPC Charities, for the purpose of receiving tax-exempt status for the properties owned by Puretz and co-conspirators. Puretz and co-conspirators provided false statements to the city of Eureka, Illinois, to receive a property tax exception. 

In July 2019, Puretz and his co-conspirators acquired Big Country Chateau. However, Puretz knew the lender and Freddie Mac would not approve him as an owner, and used the identity of an associate instead of his own. Furthermore, Puretz hid his ownership and involvement with the property management company from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and other federal and state agencies. 

In September 2020, Troy Technology Park was acquired for $42.7 million. However, Puretz and his co-conspirators presented the lender with a fraudulent purchase and sale contract for $70 million. Additionally, to support the inflated purchase price, Puretz and his co-conspirators submitted to the lender and appraiser a fraudulent letter of intent to purchase the property from another party for $68 million and other fraudulent documents. To conceal the fraudulent nature of the transaction, Puretz and his co-conspirators arranged for a short-term $30 million loan, which was used to make it appear that they had the funds needed to close on the loan. On Sept. 25, 2020, a title and settlement company based in Lakewood, New Jersey, performed two closings, one for the true $42.7 million sales price and another for the fraudulent $70 million sales price presented to the lender.

Puretz pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud affecting a financial institution. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 30 and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger for the District of New Jersey; Inspector General Brian M. Tomney of the Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of Inspector General (FHFA-OIG); and Postal Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s (USPIS) Criminal Investigations Group made the announcement.

FHFA-OIG and USPIS are investigating the case.

Former CEO Of Medical Device Company Sentenced To Six Years In Prison For Creating And Selling A Fake Component That Was Implanted Into Patients

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that LAURA PERRYMAN was sentenced to six years in prison in connection with a health care fraud scheme whereby PERRYMAN created and sold a fake medical device component and told doctors that they could claim approximately $18,000 for implanting the fake component into patients.  The device was sold by Stimwave, a medical device company of which the defendant was the founder, and, at the time of the offense, Chief Executive Officer.  Stimwave previously entered into a Non-Prosecution Agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.  PERRYMAN was found guilty of heath care fraud and conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud following a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Denise L. Cote, who imposed this sentence. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Laura Perryman callously created a dummy medical device component and told doctors to implant it into patients.  She did this out of greed, so doctors could bill Medicare and private insurance companies approximately $18,000 for each implantation of that dummy component and so she could entice doctors to buy her device for many thousands of dollars.  Perryman breached the trust of the doctors who bought her medical device, and more importantly, the patients who were implanted with that piece of plastic.  This prosecution and today’s sentence are part of this Office’s ongoing work in combating fraud in the health care system and protecting patients from being exploited for money.” 

According to the allegations in the Indictment and the evidence at trial:

Stimwave was a medical device company that manufactured and distributed implantable neurostimulation devices.  As the founder and CEO of Stimwave, PERRYMAN oversaw the design of the StimQ PNS System (the “Device”), a neurostimulator system designed to treat chronic pain by providing electrical currents to peripheral nerves.  The Device included a component containing electrodes (the “Lead”) and a receiver component that acted as an antenna, transmitting energy from an external power source to the Lead (the “Pink Stylet”).  From at least in or about 2017 up to and including 2020, PERRYMAN, as Stimwave’s CEO, engaged in a multi-year scheme (the “Scheme”) to design, create, manufacture, and market an inert, non-functioning component of the Device — called the “White Stylet.”  The White Stylet was marketed as a receiver of radiofrequency energy, but it was made of plastic and could not function as a receiver.

Stimwave sold the Device to doctors and medical providers for approximately $16,000.  PERRYMAN instructed health care providers to bill medical insurance providers, including Medicare, for implanting the Device into patients through two separate reimbursement codes.  One code was for implantation of the stimulator portion of the Lead, and a second was for implantation of a receiver.  The billing code for implanting the Lead provided for reimbursement at a rate of between approximately $4,000 and $6,000, while the billing code for implanting a receiver provided for reimbursement at a rate of between approximately $16,000 and $18,000.

Soon after the Device was released, physicians informed Stimwave that they were having trouble implanting the Pink Stylet in certain patients because the Pink Stylet was too long.  PERRYMAN knew that the Pink Stylet could not be cut or trimmed to shorten it without interfering with the functionality of the Pink Stylet as a receiver.  And, without a receiver component for doctors to implant and seek reimbursement for, doctors would incur a substantial financial loss with every purchase of the Device, thereby making it more difficult for PERRYMAN to sell the Device to doctors and medical providers at the approximately $16,000 price.

However, Stimwave — at the direction of PERRYMAN — did not lower the price of the Device so that its cost to doctors and medical providers could be covered by reimbursement for the implantation of only the Lead.  Nor did PERRYMAN recommend that doctors not implant the Device or its receiver component in cases where the Pink Stylet could not fit comfortably.  Instead, PERRYMAN directed that Stimwave create the White Stylet — a dummy component made entirely of plastic, but which PERRYMAN misrepresented to doctors as a receiver alternative to the Pink Stylet.  The White Stylet could be cut to size by the doctor for use in smaller anatomical spaces and was created solely so that doctors and medical providers would continue to purchase the Device for use in those scenarios and continue to bill for the implantation of a receiver component.  To perpetuate the lie that the White Stylet was functional, PERRYMAN oversaw trainings for doctors that indicated the White Stylet was a “receiver,” when in fact it was made entirely of plastic, contained no copper, and therefore had no conductivity.  In addition, PERRYMAN directed other Stimwave employees to vouch for the efficacy of the White Stylet as a receiver, when she knew that the White Stylet could not function as a receiver.

As a result of these misrepresentations regarding the functionality of the White Stylet, PERRYMAN caused doctors and medical providers to implant the White Stylet into patients and submit reimbursement claims for implantation of the White Stylet to health insurance providers, including Medicare.

In addition to the prison term, PERRYMAN, 55, of Delray Beach, Florida, was sentenced to three years of supervised release.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for its assistance in this matter.

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES JOHNNY CELESTIN AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MAYOR’S OFFICE OF NONPROFIT SERVICES

 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the appointment of Johnny Celestin as the executive director of the New York City Mayor’s Office of Nonprofit Services. Celestin will oversee the office’s efforts to engage and communicate critical information to nonprofits, develop and deliver capacity-building programs to support nonprofits to contract with the city more easily, and coordinate activities to advance the recommendations of the Joint Task Force to Get Nonprofits Paid on Time.

“For nearly three decades, Johnny Celestin has led by example — advocating across multiple nonprofits to uplift those who need a helping hand, ensuring our social safety net catches New Yorkers most in need, and providing relief to those in his home country of Haiti,” said Mayor Adams. “In this new role, Johnny will use his expertise to help nonprofits continue to deliver compassion and care to New Yorkers across the five boroughs. Together, with government and nonprofits working together, we can work to build a better, stronger city.”

“The nonprofit community is a vital partner to our administration and requires a strong leader to continue to build out our Mayor’s Office of Nonprofit Services. I am so proud to have Johnny Celestin continue his dedicated service to the City of New York in this new capacity as executive director,” said First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright. “Johnny will play a crucial role in ensuring our nonprofit partners work alongside us to strengthen our systems and have the support they need to thrive while delivering essential services to New Yorkers. His leadership for this office will further strengthen our city’s capacity to serve all communities and advance equity across New York City.”

“Nonprofits remain our frontline heroes, answering every call to make sure New Yorkers get the services they need — and, in turn, they deserve an office and leadership to help their sector thrive. With Johnny Celestin starting as the new executive director of Mayor's Office of Nonprofits Services, nonprofits will have a fierce advocate in their corner who has walked a mile in their shoes and knows exactly the support they need,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Ana J. Almanzar. “Johnny’s strategic mindset, proven track record, and data-driven solutions are exactly what the office needs to best serve this vital sector. Under his leadership, we will write an exciting new future for nonprofits in New York City.”

“The network of nonprofit organizations across New York City is integral to our efforts to support every child, family, and individual across all five boroughs,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “Whether you are a person searching for employment services, a young family seeking support for your children, or an older adult enjoying arts programming, the city’s nonprofits touch the lives of all of us. Our administration recognizes their critical work across the city and works in partnership with so many of these organizations. I look forward to continuing this work and working with Johnny in the months and years to come. Nonprofits play a key role and the Mayor’s Office of Nonprofit Services ensures they always have a seat at the table.”

“I am incredibly humbled by the trust Mayor Adams and Deputy Mayor Almanzar have placed in me to lead the Mayor's Office for Nonprofit Services,” said Mayor's Office for Nonprofit Services Executive Director Johnny Celestin. “The nonprofit sector is critical for our city, providing essential services and enriching our communities. My experience fostering opportunity and advocating for equity at the New York City Mayor’s Office of Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses has prepared me for this exciting new challenge. For the past three decades, I've had the privilege of working throughout the nonprofit ecosystem — in philanthropy as well as within nonprofits — where I have served as a staffer, executive director, and board member. I’m excited to work alongside the dedicated Mayor’s Office for Nonprofit team and collaborate with city agencies and our valued nonprofit partners. Together, we can ensure the office fulfills its multifaceted mission head-on, including streamlining funding access for nonprofits to promoting equity and maximizing community impact. I'm eager to start working with all of our partners to build a stronger, more equitable, and more resilient nonprofit sector that empowers all New Yorkers to thrive.”

“Nonprofits provide vital services for our city and are the driving force behind our financial empowerment services — from offering NYC Free Tax Prep to helping New Yorkers access free financial counseling — and we are so excited to see Johnny Celestin appointed to helm the Mayor’s Office of Nonprofit Services,” said New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga. “Thank you to Mayor Adams for prioritizing our city’s nonprofits, and we look forward to working with Executive Director Celestin to further support our nonprofit partners.”

“The nonprofit community is a meaningfully vital part of New York City’s diversified professional business services sector, yet also critical to our administration’s ability to meet the human services needs of our most vulnerable populations," said Chief Business Diversity Officer Michael J. Garner. “Not only are these investments in human services wage enhancements, procurement reforms, and other programming timely, but the appointment of Johnny Celestin — whose leadership in the M/WBE space has produced tangible results — only further solidifies that we're well on our way towards fully realizing a win-win partnership. I stand as a committed ally in the procurement space and look forward to a great return on these investments for all New Yorkers.”

“The establishment of the Mayor’s Office of Nonprofit Services articulated this administration’s vision for strengthening relationships with our vital nonprofit partners, fostering a more equitable and supportive environment for the sector to thrive,” said New York City Mayor’s Office of Contract Services Director Lisa Flores. “Johnny Celestin’s appointment sends a clear message that this administration remains committed to the furtherance of that vision, and I look forward to working closely with Executive Director Celestin to address our nonprofits most urgent needs. His track record of excellence and strategic leadership make him uniquely positioned for this role and I congratulate him on this much deserved appointment.”

“As the former interim executive director of the Mayor's Office for Nonprofit Services, it has been an honor to serve our vibrant nonprofit community,” said Deputy Director of Contracting and former Interim Executive Director Mayor’s Office for Nonprofit Services Diane Mamet. “I am delighted to pass the torch to Johnny Celestin, whose vision and dedication will undoubtedly elevate our mission to new heights.”

Under Mayor Adams’ leadership, the city has made significant investments and enacted policies to support the New York City’s nonprofit sector. The Adams administration announced a $741 million investment for an estimated 80,000 human services workers employed by nonprofit organizations with a city contract as part of a new cost-of-living adjustment. To date, the . Additionally, the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services (MOCS) led the ‘Clear the Backlog’ initiative, unlocking now over $6 billion and allowing nonprofits to get paid for their vital services. Together with New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, MOCS, and the Mayor’s Office of Nonprofits, Mayor Adams also announced a new reform for discretionary contracts that it easier for nonprofits that contract with the city to get paid on time. The innovative reform eliminates a total of nine months of discretionary, contracting processing time for nonprofits every year, beginning in the out-years for applicable contracts.

About Johnny Celestin

Johnny Celestin brings nearly 30 years of leadership experience across the private, public, philanthropic, and nonprofit sectors to the Mayor’s Office of Nonprofit Services. Celestin’s proven track record includes driving strategic responses to the needs of human services organizations, such as the development and delivery of capacity-building programs to improve operational efficiencies.

Before this role, Celestin served at the New York City Mayor’s Office of Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) as deputy director. During his tenure, Celestin developed policies to expand M/WBE opportunities and spearheaded strategic planning to streamline the delivery of services.

Before joining city government, Celestin worked extensively across the nonprofit sector, including at the Robin Hood Foundation, Atlantic Philanthropies, Haitian Center for Leadership and Excellence, Haitian Fund for Innovation and Reconstruction, and the Clinton Foundation.

Celestin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration at Iona University and a master’s degree in International Affairs at the New School University.

Celestin will report to Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Ana Almanzar.

“Johnny Celestin embodies the spirit of service and innovation,” said Dr. Darlene Williams, president and chief executive officer, Union Settlement. “His deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the nonprofit sector, combined with his passion for equity and human rights makes him a great leader to guide the Mayor’s Office for Nonprofit Services into a new era of collaboration and impact.”

“With Johnny Celestin as the new executive director, the Mayor’s Office for Nonprofit Services is poised to reach new heights in supporting our city’s nonprofits,” said Frederick Shack, chief executive officer, Urban Pathways. “Johnny’s impressive background, including his work with The Atlantic Philanthropies and The Haitian Fund for Innovation at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, highlights his commitment to fostering social change and community empowerment. We are excited to see the innovative and impactful work Johnny will lead in this vital role.”                                                                  

NYC PUBLIC ADVOCATE'S STATEMENT ON FINAL VOTE BY RENT GUIDELINES BOARD

 

“It’s shocking the difference and damage one administration can do to our city’s affordable housing crisis. The current administration has professed to care about affordability, but we continue to see the largest proposed rent increases in decades fueled specifically by the Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) members appointed by this Mayor. 

“Tonight’s vote by the RGB is a failure that will lead to an unsustainable burden on tenants across the city while also not providing the relief some owners need. With rents at historic highs and vacancy rates at historic lows, we cannot continue to try and squeeze more money out of tenants who simply cannot afford it. Doing so will only exacerbate our homelessness crisis while driving New Yorkers out of their homes. While it is true some property owners, particularly smaller scale owners, are facing financial challenges, the city and state must bolster efforts to improve access to programs that provide them with support without adding undue burdens on all tenants across the city.

“It’s clear by tonight’s vote that the Board did not listen to the countless tenants who made their voices heard during the RGB’s citywide hearings leading up to this vote. The city and state must now work diligently to address the housing crisis that has been exacerbated by the pandemic–  by building and preserving housing at a rapid rate– and the Mayor must begin to prioritize tenants by implementing bold, creative solutions that help them and all who are fighting to afford a city that is rapidly becoming unaffordable."

MAYOR ADAMS' STATEMENT ON RENT GUIDELINES BOARD VOTE

 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams tonight released the following statement following the Rent Guidelines Board’s 5-4 vote to adjust rents on rent-stabilized apartments by 2.75 percent on one-year leases and 5.25 percent on two-year leases: 

 

“Our volunteer Rent Guidelines Board members are charged with a vital but challenging task: protect tenants from unfair rent increases while also protecting the future of rent stabilized homes. The data reviewed by the board this year makes clear that our city’s tenants are facing a severe housing and affordability crisis, and that the quality of our city’s rent stabilized homes is threatened by growing operating and maintenance costs for owners. Since preliminary increases were released last month, we made clear that the high end of the proposed rent increases was untenable. That is why we are grateful for the board’s careful consideration of the data and their decision to limit increases this year. As we have said from day one, the only way to ultimately lower rents is to build more housing, and we are using every tool in the our toolkit to build that housing more quickly — cutting red tape, implementing the new state tools we fought hard to attain, financing record numbers of affordable housing, and advancing the‘City of Yes for Housing Opportunity’ zoning amendment that will clear the way to build a little more housing across the city in every borough.” 

Air Quality Health Advisory Issued for New York City Metro, Lower Hudson Valley, and Western New York Regions

 

 In Effect for Tuesday, June 18, 2024

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar and State Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Dr. James McDonald issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for Tuesday, June 18, 2024, for ozone to include the New York City Metro, Lower Hudson Valley, and Western New York regions.

The pollutant of concern is: Ozone

The advisory will be in effect 11 a.m. through 11 p.m. 

 

The Tuesday, June 18, Air Quality Health Advisory regions consists of: New York City Metro, which includes New York City and Rockland and Westchester counties, Lower Hudson Valley, which includes Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Sullivan, and Ulster counties, and Western New York, which includes Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming counties.

 

DEC and DOH issue Air Quality Health Advisories when DEC meteorologists predict levels of pollution, either ozone or fine particulate matter (PM2.5), are expected to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 100. The AQI was created as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale, with a higher AQI value indicating a greater health concern. 

 

OZONE

 

Summer heat can lead to the formation of ground-level ozone, a major component of photochemical smog. Automobile exhaust and out-of-state emission sources are the primary sources of ground-level ozone and the most serious air pollution problems in the northeast. This surface pollutant should not be confused with the protective layer of ozone in the upper atmosphere.

 

Ozone is not a direct emission, and is produced indirectly when sunlight chemically reacts with nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from automobile exhaust and industrial emissions. High ozone is not as visible as PM2.5 because it is a colorless gas, but will produce hazy skies and reduce visibility in high concentrations.

 

People, especially those with cardiovascular disease and those who have respiratory disease (such as asthma), young children, those who exercise outdoors, and those involved in vigorous outdoor work should consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity when ozone levels are the highest (generally afternoon to early evening). When outdoor levels of ozone are elevated, going indoors will usually reduce exposure. Individuals experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or coughing should consider consulting their personal physician.

 

Ozone levels generally decrease at night and can be minimized during daylight hours by curtailment of automobile travel and the use of public transportation where available.

 

New Yorkers also are urged to take the following energy-saving and pollution-reducing steps:

• use mass transit or carpool instead of driving, as automobile emissions account for about 60 percent of pollution in our cities;
• conserve fuel and reduce exhaust emissions by combining necessary motor vehicle trips;
• turn off all lights and electrical appliances in unoccupied areas;
• use fans to circulate air. If air conditioning is necessary, set thermostats at 78 degrees;
• close the blinds and shades to limit heat build-up and to preserve cooled air;
• limit use of household appliances. If necessary, run the appliances at off-peak (after 7 p.m.) hours. These would include dishwashers, dryers, pool pumps and water heaters;
• set refrigerators and freezers at more efficient temperatures;
• purchase and install energy efficient lighting and appliances with the Energy Star label; and
• reduce or eliminate outdoor burning and attempt to minimize indoor sources of PM 2.5 such as smoking. 

Additional information on ozone and PM 2.5 is available on DEC's website and on DOH's website (PM 2.5) / DOH's website (ozone). A new DEC fact sheet about the Air Quality Index is also available on DEC’s website or by PDF download https://dec.ny.gov/sites/default/files/2024-05/aqiweb.pdf. 

 

To stay up-to-date with announcements from DEC, sign up to receive Air Quality Alerts through DEC Delivers: DEC's Premier Email Service. A toll-free Air Quality Hotline (1-800-535-1345) was also established by DEC to keep New Yorkers informed of the latest air quality situation.

Ahead of Record-Setting Extreme Heat, Governor Hochul Deploys Statewide Resources and Urges New Yorkers to Take Precautions to Protect Their Health

 

Governor Activates 50 Members of New York National Guard to Provide Assistance as Needed

Extreme Heat Poses Significant Public Health Risk; is the Leading Cause of Weather-Related Deaths in America

Find Cooling Centers in New York State and New York City

Governor Kathy Hochul today urged New Yorkers to prepare for extreme heat that is forecast for the State this week. A prolonged period of heat and humidity is anticipated to begin Monday in the Genesee Valley and Finger Lakes, and then affect the entire State Tuesday through Friday. A combination of high temperatures in the 90s and high humidity will lead to heat index values or “feel-like” temperatures in the upper 90’s to mid-100’s for consecutive days in the Capital Region, and Central, Western and Northern New York. This weather event may bring historic successive days of extreme heat to the I-90 corridor. The heat is expected to peak by Thursday with day and nighttime temperatures 5 to 15 degrees above normal. New Yorkers should monitor local weather forecasts for the most up-to-date information. For a complete listing of weather watches, warnings, advisories and latest forecasts, visit the National Weather Service website. Governor Hochul has activated 50 National guard members to provide assistance as needed.

“Heat waves can be dangerous — with one expected this week, I encourage New Yorkers to take precautions necessary to stay safe and avoid exhaustion,” Governor Hochul said. “Keep an eye on your local forecast, stay hydrated and postpone outdoor activity as much as possible.”

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), extreme heat is increasing in the United States and is projected to be more frequent and intense. While serious health and safety effects are preventable in many cases, approximately 1,220 people in the United States are killed by extreme heat every year, the CDC reports.

State agencies are taking a number of actions to prepare for the upcoming heat.

Safety Tips for People Working Outdoors

As the summer season begins, employers should be mindful to let workers rest regularly, in shaded areas, and drink water regardless of if they feel thirsty. According to the National Weather Service, when the heat index is 80 degrees or higher, serious occupational heat-related illness and injuries become more frequent.

• Water, shade, and rest are essential to worker safety during heat waves.
• The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends employers provide each outdoor worker with 32-ounces of cool, potable drinking water per hour.
• When the heat index equals or exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit, employers should establish shade areas near where people are working for rest and meal periods.
• When the heat index reaches 90 degrees Fahrenheit or greater, standardized rest breaks are an important way to keep workers safe.
• Workers should protect themselves from the sun and heat by wearing light clothing, wide brim hats, and sunscreen.

Workers and employers should also know the signs of common heat related illness, and all new and returning workers should keep in mind that they need to build a tolerance to heat or acclimatize. Workers whose bodies have not had time to adjust to working in the heat are the most vulnerable.

Keeping Safe During Extreme Heat

Prepare in Advance

• Sign up for NY alerts that can come to your phone and email and other alerts offered in your local community.
• Create a family emergency plan and include a plan to stay cool.
• Install air conditioners and insulate around them, cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun, and set up fans to increase air flow.
• You may qualify for a free air conditioning unit. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) can provide an air conditioning unit to income eligible households that include someone with a documented medical condition exacerbated by extreme heat, or households with young children or older adults. Applications will continue to be accepted until funding runs out. For more information, visit the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance website or contact your local office for the aging at 1-800-342-9871.
• Attend a free Citizen Preparedness Corps training for residents and get the tools and resources to prepare for emergencies.

Heat Stroke and Exhaustion - Know the Symptoms and What to Do

• Heat stroke is the most serious type of heat-related illness and is always an emergency. Call 911 immediately if you or your loved one has a body temperature above 105°, a rapid pulse, confusion, rapid or shallow breathing, or loses consciousness. Try to cool the person quickly using a cool bath, fans and air conditioning while you wait for emergency responders.
• Heavy sweating, fainting, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, weakness and cold clammy skin can be indications of heat exhaustion, which can quickly escalate to heat stroke without prompt intervention. Individuals should be moved to a cool place, and cool wet cloths applied to the neck, face and arms.
• Heat cramps in the abdominal area or extremities can be treated by moving to a cool place, gently stretching the cramped muscle and drinking cool water.
• Additional information, including procedures for athletes and coaches, workers and employers and heat and health data can be found on the Department of Health’s Extreme Heat website.

What to Do During Extreme Heat

• Stay inside in the air conditioning if possible.
• If you don’t have access to air-conditioning within your home, open windows and shades on the shady side and close them on the sunny side to try to cool it down. It may also be cooler outside in the shade.
• Identify free locations areas in your neighborhood where you can go to stay cool such as a public library, pool, or mall. Find Cooling Centers in New York State and New York City.
• Drink plenty of fluids - preferably water.
• When working in the heat you should drink one cup (8 ounces) of water every 15 – 20 minutes. That translates to at least 24-32 ounces glasses of water per hour during extreme heat, even if you do not feel thirsty. Drinking water at shorter intervals is more effective than drinking large amounts infrequently. Your body needs water to keep cool. Avoid beverages containing alcohol or caffeine.
• Beat the heat with cool showers and baths.
• Take regular breaks from physical activity.
• Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day (between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.).
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing to help keep cool.
• Stay out of the sun as much as possible.
• Wear sunscreen and a ventilated hat (e.g., straw or mesh) when in the sun, even if it is cloudy.

Never Leave Children and Pets Unsupervised in Hot Cars

There is a real and severe danger when leaving children or pets unsupervised in a car even when temperatures don’t “feel” hot. At 60 degrees outside, after just one hour a closed car can get as hot as 105 degrees.

Safety Tips for Children

• Never leave a child in an unattended vehicle in the warm weather, not even with the windows slightly open or down, due to the risk of heatstroke (hyperthermia).
• If you see a child in a hot car, call 911 right away and follow their instructions. Emergency personnel are trained to respond.
• Teach children not to play in or around vehicles and to alert an adult when a friend is playing in a vehicle without supervision. Make sure children understand the dangers of trunk entrapment (suffocation, heatstroke, etc.).
• Place something you need, like keys, a purse or bag, or your cell phone, next to your child's car seat so you will remember to check the backseat before you lock the car. Alternatively, place a stuffed toy in your child’s car seat when not in use and move the toy to the front passenger seat when your child is in his/her car seat as a reminder that your child is in the vehicle.
• Use drive-through services whenever possible while driving with a child in a vehicle.
• It is vital to recognize the symptoms of heatstroke in children. Symptoms include absence of sweat, confusion, disorientation, flushed skin, loss of alertness, unconsciousness or rapid/shallow breathing.

Safety Tips for Pets

• Never leave a pet unattended in the car. Like children, dogs and other animals have a harder time staying cool, leaving them extremely vulnerable to heatstroke.

A car can overheat even when the window has been left cracked an inch or two. Parking in the shade or leaving water in the vehicle won’t prevent your pet from overheating, either.

• According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), young, overweight or senior animals or those with short muzzles or thick or dark coats are most at risk for overheating.
• If you see a pet in a hot car, call 911 immediately.
• Recognize the symptoms of heatstroke in pets and take action if you see them. Symptoms include restlessness, heavy panting, vomiting, lethargy and lack of appetite or coordination.

Be Air Quality Aware

• Summer heat can lead to the formation of ground-level ozone and Governor Hochul recently encouraged New Yorkers to be Air Quality Aware to help protect public health. The Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Health (DOH) issue Air Quality Health Advisories when DEC meteorologists predict levels of ozone and fine particulate matter pollution are expected to exceed an Air Quality Index value of 100, and considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups.’ People, especially those with cardiovascular disease and those who have respiratory disease (such as asthma), young children, those who exercise outdoors, and those involved in vigorous outdoor work should consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity when ozone levels are highest (generally afternoon to early evening). When outdoor levels of ozone are elevated, going indoors will usually reduce exposure. Individuals experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or coughing should consider consulting their personal physician.
• The Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Health (DOH) issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for today, June 17, from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. for ozone. The regions included in this Advisory are Eastern Lake Ontario and Western New York.
• DEC encourages New Yorkers to check airnow.gov for accurate information on air quality forecasts and conditions. Sign up to receive Air Quality Alerts through DEC Delivers, visit dec.ny.gov for updated forecasts and information about air quality index levels, and the DOH website for information on health risks and precautions related to air quality.

Visit NYS Pools and Beaches

Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation will open a number of beaches and pools ahead of schedule for mid-week hours next week as a way to help New Yorkers beat the heat. 24 Hours vary by park. View the full list of statewide swimming lakes, ocean beaches and pools for more information. Call ahead to confirm as hours are subject to change.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation campgrounds and day use areas in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks also provide swimming opportunities. Lifeguards are at DEC's Lake George (Million Dollar) Beach and Hinckley Reservoir Day Use areas, and other day use areas provide unsupervised swimming opportunities. More information about campgrounds and day use areas can be found on DEC’s website.

The following parks will have beaches, pools or spray features available:

New York City

• Marsha P. Johnson - Spray Features available M,T,W
• Gantry Plaza - Spray Features available M,T,W
• Roberto Clemente - Spray Features and Misters available M,T,W
• Denny Farrell Riverbank- Spray Features, indoor pool open M,T,W

Long Island

• Jones Beach - Open M,T,W
• Robert Moses - Open M,T,W
• Hither Hills - Open M,T,W
• Sunken Meadow - Open M,T,W

Hudson Valley

• Lake Welch- Open M,T,W
• Rockland Lake- Open W
• Tallman Mountain- Open W
• Bear Mountain - Open W
• Tiorati Lake- Open W
• Canopus- Open M,T,W

Capital Region

• Taconic – Copake Falls Area- Open M,T,W
• Lake Taghkanic - Open M,T,W
• Grafton Lake - Open M,T,W
• Moreau Lake - Open M,T,W
• Thompson’s Lake - Open M,T,W

Southern Tier

• Chenango Valley - Open M,T,W

Central New York

• Filmore Glen - Open M,T,W
• Green Lakes- Open M,T,W
• Sandy Island- Open M,T,W

Mohawk Valley

• Gilbert Lake – Open M,T,W
• Glimmerglass – Open M,T,W
• Verona Beach – Open M,T,W
• Delta Lake – Open M,T,W

Finger Lakes

• Seneca Lake Spray ground - Open M,T,W
• Sampson – Open 7 days beginning Monday

Western New York

• Woodlawn Beach- open M,T,W
• Long Point - Open W

Extreme Heat Action Planning

• Governor Hochul’s 2022 State of the State directed DEC and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to develop a plan to coordinate interagency efforts and help mitigate local impacts of increasingly frequent and severe extreme heat events, and to ensure that priority assistance from interagency investments is allocated to disadvantaged communities on the frontline of heat exposure. More than 20 New York agencies and authorities worked together as part of the Extreme Heat Action Plan Working Group to advance strategies to help address the impacts of extreme heat on disadvantaged communities and other New Yorkers vulnerable to the effects of increasingly high temperatures driven by climate change. DEC and NYSERDA are finalizing the plan.

For further information on how to stay safe during periods of excessive heat, please visit the New York State Department of Health website or the CDC website.