Protect yourself from sun and heat
To avoid getting sick from the heat and sun:
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day even when you are not thirsty. Coffee, soda, and alcohol may dehydrate you, so follow them with water.
- Seek shade and take breaks from the sun throughout the day. Use air conditioning if available. Otherwise, use fans, take cool showers, or visit public spaces like shopping malls or libraries.
- Wear sunglasses and sunscreen (SPF of at least 30). Apply sunscreen 15-20 minutes before going outside and again every two hours. Wear protective clothing that is light and breathable to avoid sunburn.
- Limit outdoor activities during the hottest hours (10 a.m.–4 p.m.) when possible.
- Check for symptoms of heat-related illness. These include heavy sweating, shortness of breath, dizziness, and more.
- Avoid outdoor activity when air quality is low. Check this air quality monitoring map from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
You can also:
- Find real-time heat information and resources in our Unhealthy Heat Forecast
- Explore other extreme heat safety tips
- Check out water safety tips if you go swimming to keep cool
- Use the Interactive Beach Water Quality Dashboard to check if beaches are open
Keep your food safe
Tap water in Massachusetts is safe to drink. To prevent getting sick from your meals and snacks:
- Eat thoroughly cooked food
- Wash fruits and vegetables
- Keep food at a safe temperature
- Avoid perishable food that has been at or above room temperature for more than two hours
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
Do you have sudden diarrhea, vomiting, or stomach cramps? Report the meal that may have made you sick and seek medical care.
Avoid tick and mosquito bites
Ticks and mosquitoes can carry diseases that make you sick if they bite you. Protect yourself from tick and mosquito bites:
- Use EPA-approved tick repellent anytime you’re outdoors
- Wear long-sleeved clothing and socks to reduce exposed skin when weather permits
- Check yourself and children for ticks as soon as you come inside
- Shower to rinse off ticks before they become attached
- Put your clothes in the dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to help kill ticks
- If you find a tick attached to your skin, remove it promptly
- Schedule outdoor activities to avoid the hours from dusk to dawn to avoid mosquitoes
Learn more about diseases carried by ticks and mosquitoes.
Prevent respiratory illnesses, measles, and other infectious diseases
Large international events like the World Cup can spread infectious diseases. To protect yourself and others:
- Get vaccinated for COVID-19, flu, and measles before you attend celebrations
- Stay home (or in your hotel or accommodations) if you are sick
- Follow guidance to protect yourself from respiratory illnesses
- Look for symptoms of COVID-19, flu, measles, and viral hemorrhagic fevers
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by using condoms or dental dams
- Get available vaccines for STIs like for hepatitis A/B and mpox
- Consider treatment like pre- or post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV
Be responsible with substance use and gambling
In Massachusetts, it is legal to do the following if you’re 21 or older:
- Buy and drink alcohol
- Buy and use cannabis (marijuana)
- Buy and use tobacco and nicotine
- Bet on sports events and gamble in casinos
There are restrictions on where you can consume alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco/nicotine. For example, you:
- Can’t use cannabis in public
- Can’t consume alcohol in the streets or on public transportation
- Can’t have open containers of alcohol or cannabis in cars
When using alcohol and cannabis:
- Limit use to a safe amount
- Do not drive
If you need support around substance use and problem gambling, contact the Helpline.
Be aware of human trafficking
Human trafficking can occur at any time, including at large national and international events. Massachusetts provides resources and information to help identify, report, and respond to concerns about human trafficking. You can also contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
Get care after sexual assault
If you experience sexual assault or rape, use these resources:
- Frequently asked questions after sexual assault (available in multiple languages)
- Hospitals that have Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner services
- Rape crisis centers that offer free services for survivors
Remember, anyone can experience sexual assault, and it is never your fault.
Find medical and health care
If you are sick or hurt during the celebrations, find out how and where to get medical care:
- For life-threatening emergencies when you need an emergency team to come to you, call 911. If you are unable to connect to 911 on an international phone, ask for help from people around you with U.S. phones.
- Visit a hospital emergency department for severe illness or injury
- Go to an urgent care center for mild illnesses and minor injuries
- Call the Behavioral Health Help Line for mental health and substance use treatment
If you are traveling, remember to bring your regular prescription medication with you. If you need over-the-counter medication while you are here, visit a pharmacy.
Get travel health insurance before arrival
U.S. health care is very expensive without insurance.
Purchase a plan that covers:
- Emergency care and hospitalization
- Doctor visits and prescriptions
- Medical evacuation (important for severe cases)
Other resources
Protecting Public Health During the World Cup
How the Department of Public Health (DPH) is preparing
Match-Ready Massachusetts
World Cup preparations throughout the Healey-Driscoll administration
Boston 26
The official Host City initiative for the FIFA World Cup 2026™