Practical Ways to Beat the Heat!
We’ve all been talking about heat a lot lately. Although our community hasn’t normally seen the extremes other parts of the country see, we are starting to see more extreme heat events. This shift in weather means we need to have a shift in our way of thinking. There are many small changes we can make to beat the heat.
Just like you have a “rainy day” list, have a “beat the heat day” list. Think of all the activities you can do when it’s hot. Make it a library day, go see a movie, or plan a trip to the pool. Plan these activities for the hottest part of the day. If you need to work or exercise in the heat, plan these activities in the morning or evening when things are cooler. If it is not cooling off in the evenings and at night, it is even more important to plan to be in a cool place at least once a day to give your body that break from the heat.
Another thing we all have to work on together is building a community that responds to heat. Is the water fountain at your neighborhood park broken? Call 311 to let the city know it needs to be fixed. Does your elderly neighbor not have air conditioning? Stop by to check in and make sure they are handling the heat ok. Do your friends or family feel like activities to get out of the heat will cost too much for a big family? Learn about free resources that can help them withstand the heat, like our free city pools, splash pads, and library play areas.
With some changes in planning and by supporting the community around us, we can safeguard our health and be better prepared during heat events. Take the first step by learning more through these great resources: