Several Convenient Heat-Beating Apps Now Available On Major Platforms

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Some are turning to technology to help beat the heat.

Your smartphone can actually help you stay safe and cool in these sweltering conditions, CBS 2's Dick Brennan reported Thursday.

"I think people should know when to get out of the sun," Judi Jordhal said.

But if you don't, there's an app for that. For example, there's "Sun Safe" for the iPhone. It gets information on UV conditions and calculates just how long it's okay for your skin. And then the app alerts you when it's time to go inside or cover up.

EXTRAS: Forecast & Alerts | Staying Safe In The Heat | Find A Cooling Center | Find A Pool Near You | NYC Beach Guide | PHOTOS: Heat Wave Hits New York

But that's a tough sell for a guy like the West Side's Greg Miller, who said he knows better.

"I guess my mom would be proud if I use it, because that would mean I would actually listen to someone, but I think I have enough intuition to do what's right," Miller said.

There's also an app to tell you when you're dehydrated. It's called the "Water Your Body App" for Apple and Android. It tells you how much water you should be drinking based on your weight. You can also track how much you're drinking on a daily basis, and the app will even tell you when to take your next glass.

"I love the heat," said Glenda Frank of the Upper West Side.

But Frank also said she welcomes the idea of an app.

"People say you should know when to get in out of the sun, oh no! That's why we have people who get heat stroke … obviously they don't know when to go in," Frank said.

The makers say their apps are convenient, even for a 6-year-old.

"It's easy to have it right with you," little Josephine Bank told Brennan.

And if you have no choice but to be out in the sun, there's an app for that, too -- one from the Department of Labor that lets outdoor workers calculate the heat index and the risk at a work site.

The most important you can do is use common sense. If you feel it's time to go in, get out of the sun.  If not, check your phone.

There's also a first aid app from the American Red Cross that has information on potential emergencies, plus heat and safety tips.

You May Also Be Interested In These Stories