Record-high temperatures are expected in Philly, and the National Heat Advisory has a heat advisory in place. Temperatures will be in the 90s and even hit 100 for the first time in a decade. It can be hard to stay inside in a place like Philly where there’s so much to do outside every day.
When the sun is shining, you usually want to be outdoors. However, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are serious risks for many, especially during a heat advisory. Drinking plenty of fluids and wearing loose-fitting, lightweight clothing are two ways to prevent this. You also need to find places where you can stay cool.
Stay at home
Staying indoors at home is one of the best ways to beat the heat. Using curtains, shades or awnings can help to keep your home cooler. Turning on fans or air conditioning will also help. If you get bored at home, you can always play online casino games at a Philly online casino. The excitement of having numerous games to play and the possibility of winning will keep you entertained despite the heat.
Go to the mall, movies, or roller skate
A short trip to the mall or to the movies can help you to have fun, enjoy the summer, and stay cool at the same time. You can enjoy the air conditioning while you browse around the shops or watch a popular movie. There are also various roller skating rinks where you and your kids can skate around and stay cool at the same time.
Visit museums and aquariums
At the hottest time in summer, it is probably best not to plan a road trip unless your vehicle has air conditioning. Arranging short trips to visit museums and aquariums could keep you cool and your kids entertained. Visit the Academy of Natural Sciences and discover dinosaurs. The Philadelphia Museum of Art has some kid’s programs. The Adventure Aquarium is located minutes from downtown Philly on the Camden waterfront and features over 15,000 aquatic animals. You can see hippos, a hammerhead shark, and other unique sea creatures.
Find the nearest cooling center
If you are looking for a chance to cool down, visit one of the cooling centers all over the city:
Libraries -A library can be a cool place to escape the heat. Some libraries that operate as cooling centers are Walnut Street West Library, Cecil B. Moore Library, and Oak Lane Library.
Recreation centers – Philadelphia’s 156 recreation centers are open every day, and you can find lists that include their hours and programs. They usually have summer programs for youth, pools, and other resources.
Senior centers -Philly has 28 senior centers open daily, and many operate as cooling stations in the summer. These centers are open to adults of 60 and over for classes, meals, and activities.
Schools -In a heat emergency situation, West Philadelphia High School and Kensington High School for the Creative and Performing Arts become cooling centers.
Cool down in a swimming pool
Philly has opened many of its public pools already, such as Chew Pool and Scanlon Playground Pool. Others are scheduled to open in the coming weeks. There are over 70 free pools where you can cool off. If you don’t want to swim in a public pool and don’t have one at home, you could join a private swimming club.
Go to a Sprayground
Spraygrounds, splash pads, and sprinklers are popping up all over Philadelphia. With the weather this year, they could provide a welcome respite from the heat. They are usually open seven days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Not all of them have shaded areas so make sure you take sunscreen along. The spray fountain at Dilworth Park has a thin layer of water with refreshing three-foot-high water spouts.
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