It’s hot out! Heat related symptoms to be aware of and places you can cool down

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) – It’s heat so intense it could cause some people serious harm.

“Heat can actually be a cause of death, so it’s very important to notice the signs early and try to prepare for that and stay hydrated and stay out of the sun,” said Stacy Fontana, Nurse Practitioner and Director of Clinical Operations with the Onondaga County Health Department.

The first signs of heat exhaustion are feeling dizzy, weak and thirsty, which at that point, Fontana said you would want to move out of the sun to a cooler area. If you don’t start feeling any better, she suggested calling 911.

These symptoms could hit some harder than others.

“It’s important that specifically our vulnerable that we look out for some seniors in the neighborhood and stop and make sure that they’re doing okay because, just like a winter storm, this isn’t something that’s hard to drive in, but it’s hard to breathe in and certainly hard to stay hydrated in,” Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said.

A way to cool down is jumping in a pool. Syracuse City’s pools are opening one day at a time, starting Tuesday, June 18, with Schiller Park. County wise, McMahon announced that Jamesville Beach and Oneida Shores will have extended hours this week open until 8 p.m.

A cooling center that is often overlooked is the library. The Onondaga County Public Libraries are free and accessible to all.

“It’s always important to just have the doors open in general to show that we are a place to stay cool or even stay warm during the winter times,” Jackie Bleich, the Branch Manager at White Branch Library said. “We are that homing station for people that would like to come in and have that safe space while also taking care of their physical strength because it’s so hot outside.”

The libraries will have indoor activities like painting and puzzles, as well as outside fun with water balloons.

“Anytime that we know that kids are going to be coming in, we have a program that fits their needs,” Bleich said.

So, no matter where you do it, try and stay cool this week.

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