City of Worcester, MA

Heat Safety Tips; Heat Index to Exceed 100 This Weekend

For Immediate Release: 7/18/2019 10:31 am

The temperatures for this coming weekend are predicted to be in the 90s with a projected Heat Index surpassing 100 on Saturday, July 20. Be prepared by following these hot weather safety tips in extreme temperatures:

• Drink plenty of fluids (non-alcoholic), regardless of your activity level, to stay hydrated.
• Stay indoors and if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned space.
• Take a cool shower or bath or move to an air-conditioned space to cool off.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• NEVER leave anyone or pets in a closed, parked vehicle.
• Visit older adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children need more frequent monitoring.
• Limit any necessary outdoor activity to morning or evening hours.
• Cut down on exercise and strenuous activities. If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour. A sports beverage can replace salt and minerals lost in sweat.
• If you’re outside, find shade and take rests.
• Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher.

More extreme heat tips are available at: www.ready.gov/heat. Residents are also encouraged to sign-up for ALERTWorcester and Smart911 to stay informed and be prepared in case of an emergency.

The City of Worcester operates 1 pool, 2 spray parks and 4 beaches: Crompton Park Pool (50 Canton Street); Cristoforo Colombo/East Spray Park (180 Shrewsbury Street); Greenwood Spray Park (14 Forsberg Street); Bell Pond Beach (238 Belmont Street); Indian Lake Beach (20 Clason Road); John J. Binienda Memorial Beach (180 Mill Street); and Shore Park Beach (115 Shore Drive).

These City operated facilities will open two hours earlier on both Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21 at 10 a.m. All sites will close at 7 p.m. on both days.

The city is also home to 3 state beaches and pools: Dennis F. Shine Memorial Swimming Pool (146 Providence Street); Quinsigamond State Park (10 N. Lake Ave.); and Veterans Memorial (Bennett Field) Swimming Pool (1270 Main Street).

These state sites are open to the public daily from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Worcester Public Library main branch at 3 Salem Square will also be open on Saturday, July 20 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.