Hello, summer: Pools in Philadelphia begin to open this week, just as temperatures start to soar

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The region is bracing for the first heat wave of the year. The Camden City School District is having half-days all week. Their last day of school isn't until June 25. But, just in time for Philadelphia students, whose school year has ended, public pools will roll out through the week.

First among them is the public pool at Chew Playground in Point Breeze, where the traditional first jump in the city is taking place Monday morning with city officials including City Council President Kenyatta Johnson.

Pools at other locations throughout the city will open throughout the week.

Chew Pool – 1800 Washington Ave.
Kelly Pool – 4231 Lansdowne Dr.
Hunting Park Pool – 900 Hunting Park Ave.
Scanlon Pool – 1099 E. Tioga St.

Mitchell Pool – 3700 Whitehall Lane
Penrose Pool – 1101 W. Susquehanna Ave.
Fishtown Pool – 1202-32 E. Montgomery Ave.
Christy Pool – 728 S. 55th St.

Kendrick Pool – 5822-24 Ridge Ave.
Murphy Pool – 300 Shunk St.
Fox Chase Pool – 7901 Ridgeway St.
Lonnie Young Pool – 1100 E. Chelten Ave.

Vogt Pool – 4131 Unruh Ave., 19135
Cherashore Pool – 851-951 W. Olney Ave.
Houseman Pool– 5091 Summerdale Ave.

American Legion Pool – 6201 Torresdale Ave.
Shepard Pool – 5700 Haverford Ave.
Gathers Pool – 2501-19 W. Diamond St.

Bridesburg Pool – 4625 Richmond St.
J. Finnegan Pool – 6801 Grovers Ave.
Barry Pool – 1800 Johnston St.
Samuel Pool – 3539 Gaul St.

Lackman Pool – 1101 Bartlett St.
Sacks Pool – 400 Washington Ave.
Francisville Pool – 1737 Francis St.

The city is contending with a lifeguard shortage. Even so, officials say free swim lessons for kids will be available at all city public pools. That includes 6,000 summer campers who are getting mandatory lessons.

If hopping in a pool isn't your thing, there are spray grounds that are open throughout the city, as well as cooling centers — in libraries and senior centers, for example — where residents can get access to the air conditioning so critical during weeks like this.

Officials are urging caution, as they always do when the temperatures rise. They ask people to check in on the people in their lives who may be more vulnerable, including people with underlying health issues and older people, especially if they don't have easy access to air conditioning.

The Office of Emergency Management has further details about preparing for the hot weather online.

When temperatures hit the 90s or higher, it is important to keep yourself safe and to check on family, friends, neighbors and pets. Everyone is at risk for dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke during extended periods of high temperatures and high humidity.

During very hot weather, Philadelphia will announce a heat health emergency on phila.gov, and through the city’s free mass text alert system. (Sign up for those texts on the city's website.) Mobile heat health teams may be dispatched. Residential utility shut-offs are stopped. And certain services are activated to help residents stay safe.