New York City extends public pool hours to help residents cope with extreme heat
NEW YORK -- The extreme heat is on and it's going to be for the long haul. Doctors say don't underestimate the risks it can have on your health.
To help cope with the blistering temperatures, public pools citywide are extending their hours. CBS2's Elijah Westbrook went to the public pool in Astoria Park on Wednesday and learned more helpful tips.
During a heat wave such as the one the city is experiencing this week, it is always a great idea to keep yourself hydrated and cool. It seems like families got the memo as many flocked to the pool to try and beat the heat. The Astoria Park pool is one of dozens that planned to stay open until 8 p.m.
Forecasters predict this wave is not leaving the area anytime soon. The CBS2 Weather Team called for a a high of 94 and "feels like" temperatures near 100 on Wednesday.
Richard Zinnermon was two hours into a long shift at Bryant Park when he spoke to CBS2's Vanessa Murdock, but he said his employer understands the seriousness of working under the July sun.
"Take as many breaks as we need to cool off and don't have a heat stroke," he said.
Tips include staying away from alcohol and caffeinated beverages, wearing light clothing, and avoiding layers. Doctors say kids and the elderly, especially, need to be looked out for during this time.
"Very young and very old people have slower mechanisms in terms of how their bodies cool down," said Dr. Adriana Quinones-Camacho, chief of medicine at NYU Langone Hospital. "For those who have young babies, very important to keep them cool."
Don't completely cover a stroller or car seat -- ensure there is plenty of ventilation.
Web Extra: Click here for summer safety tips to beat the heat
"We're expecting it to be hot and humid, which is a difficult combination," said Dr. Ivan Miller, medical director of the Emergency Department at Westchester Medical Center.
Hydrating is a number one priority in the heat.
"Recognize that you lose water, but you also lose salt," Quinones-Camacho said.
She suggests hydrate with drinks that have electrolytes, like sports drinks.
"It's important to know what to favor and what to avoid," she said.
Sugary drinks, like juice and soda, can cause you to urinate more, especially for diabetics.
Fruit and vegetables with a high water content helps with hydration, too.
Aside from staying indoors next to an air conditioner, flocking to the pool or beach is usually how many plan on beating the heat. However, Miller says you still need to be careful, especially at the pool, where concrete can reach extreme temperatures.
"The most at risk are kids not wearing shoes. Parents should make sure they're wearing shoes and flip flops are great for that purpose," Miller said.
Watch Elijah Westbrook's report
Earlier Wednesday, Westbrook caught up with a dad and his 6-year-old daughter while they waited for the pool to open at 11 a.m. Why wait in the sweltering heat when you can run through the sprinklers in the meantime?
"I like getting really wet. It's really fun," said 6-year-old Charlotte Cannata.
"We got out here really early to try and beat the heat and get all of our outdoor time in now in the water and hopefully we'll get in some air conditioning before it gets super hot this afternoon," Ryan Cannata added.
He and his daughter were some of the dozens who were taking advantage of a refreshing splash in the pool.
Hundreds of New Yorkers made their way to the Hamilton Fish Pool on the Lower East Side to cool down.
"Left work a little early so I could take my kids to the pool, let them enjoy it. Summertime, that's what New York City summer is all about, going to the pool, to the beach and enjoying life with family," Jerel McDaniel told CBS2's Kevin Rincon.
"It's a nice little break from a long, hard day of working, all in the heat," Luis Paulino said.
"I'm in fast-paced environments all the time, so just to relax, be by the pool and actually have a day to myself is very nice," Kristen Kerns said.
Again, all of the city's 36 Olympic- and medium-sized public pools will be open until 8 p.m. Thursday.
The Salvation Army has also announced it will open all eight city sites as cooling centers through the weekend.
- Click here to find a cooling center or here for a pool near you.
Meanwhile, Jamie McShane, director of media relations for Con Edison, says they're concerned about consecutive days of high temperatures. That means high demand that puts a lot of stress on the system, but McShane says it's what Con Ed crews train for.
"We have an emergency response center that's open now 24 hours a day. We have all company resources focused on this heat event," he said.
"We're confident. We spent all year getting ready, preparing for days like today," said Patrick McHugh, senior vice president of electric operations at Con Edison.
Watch Vanessa Murdock's report
Crews are ready to respond, with their eyes on the grid.
"One of the tools that we have at our disposal is voltage reduction," McShane said.
If one network nears its limits, Con Ed can reduce voltage.
"That can be as little as 5 percent voltage reduction. Customers won't notice anything," McShane said.
You can help ease stress on the grid with these simple tips:
- Run your dishwasher and/or washing machine at night or early in the morning.
- Don't cool a room that no one is using.
- Don't max out your air conditioner; turn the temperature up a notch or two.
To help do their part, there are more than 500 buildings in the city that are now part of the demand response program. The idea is to help lessen the strain on the grid by doing things like turning off lights, reducing AC usage and powering down equipment.
