Feeling the heat
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The fireworks are set for Tuesday — but Monday was a scorching start to a lot of people’s summer vacations. People were trying to keep cool any way possible.
The splashpad down at Spencer Smith Park in Burlington is the place to be on a hot summer day. Temperatures are scorching hot but these kids are keeping cool.
Chad and Brayden Hunter: “I just wanted to come here to get water. Love the weather, it’s nice to come downtown and get a cool breeze off the lake.”
Matthew Ferencich: “It’s great to have these free splashpads around town, it’s a great place for the kids to come and just hang out for a few hours.”
For those who want to keep cool without getting wet, a frozen treat like ice cream or popsicles can keep body temperatures lower. But ultimately, water is the best remedy.
Here are some tips for beating the heat:
– keep hydrated; it’s recommended to drink eight ounces of water at least every hour.
– keep the neck in shade; the body’s temperature control system sensor is in this area.
– wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing, preferably cotton.
One danger that hot temperatures can pose is getting dehydrated. But an even bigger danger is getting left in a locked vehicle. On a typical summer day, temperatures inside can reach 70 degrees celsius within minutes.
Unfortunately seeing kids or animals locked in a vehicle on a hot day is not uncommon. Police have responded to two calls in Hamilton regarding the issue Monday morning alone.
Constable Claus Wagner: “If it’s a young person or they really feel the dog is super distressed, they can call 911 and we’ll respond to something like that.”
Being mindful of the temperatures can allow people to safely enjoy the sun, like the kids getting their fountain fix at the splashpad.
Liam and Jack Ferencich: “We’re having fun in the water. We’re coolin’, we’re just chillin’.”
Wise words to live by in order to beat the heat this summer.
Temperatures are so hot that Niagara Region Public Health has issued an excessive heat alert for that area. The humidex is expected to reach 40 degrees celsius. So it’s important to take added precautions. If you are scheduling an outdoor activity, try to do it before noon or in the evening.
