Swimming pools across the Twin Cities will become prime real estate starting Wednesday as temperatures soar into the upper 90s with the humidity making it feel like triple digits.
Cooling off in a pool may seem harmless, but staff at the St. Louis Park Aquatic Park are working to make sure both guests and staff stay safe in the sun.
"Looking at the weather this week and knowing it's going to be on the warmer side, we're definitely anticipating larger crowds at our waterpark and at our other parks as well," said Mikayla Beuch, Recreational Supervisor in St. Louis Park. "We're just going to be extra cautious to make sure we are taking care of staff and patrons as best as we can."
When it's this hot, Beuch says longer safety breaks are added in throughout the day in order to get people out of the pool, back towards their chairs, drinking water, and eating something in the shade and out of the sun if they need it.
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"This also helps our lifeguards catch their breath and get into some shade. We make sure our rotations are operating strongly so we're getting our guards on their breaks, out of the sun, and into some air conditioned area. Just constantly checking in with staff making sure that they're doing well and keeping an extra eye on those patrons who could be vulnerable to heat exhaustion."
The American Red Cross notes that anyone planning to head out into the extreme heat should begin drinking plenty of fluids well before their time outdoors. While water needs vary by individual, the average person needs at least 3/4 of a gallon of water per day.
Red Cross tips for staying hydrated include:
- You can check that you are getting enough water by noting your urine color. Dark yellow may indicate you are not drinking enough.
- Avoid sugary, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks.
- If you are sweating a lot, combine water with snacks or a sports drink to replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat.
- Talk to your doctor about how to prepare if you have a medical condition or are taking medicines.
If you're planning to beat the heat the next few days by going to the swimming pool, make sure to pack plenty of drinking water and sunscreen to make things a little more manageable throughout the day.
"We want to make sure we're taking care of ourselves," added Beuch. "It's easy to get caught up in the moment and after awhile it's been a couple hours and we haven't taken a break. So take breaks often, drink lots of water, and apply sunscreen."