How to stay cool in the summer heat — News from Syracuse University

Swimming pool at Thorden Park (photo by Jeremy Brinn)

With meteorologists predicting this summer to be one of the hottest summers on record, it’s important to know how to keep cool this summer. Here are some tips on how to stay safe during those extremely hot days in the summer months:

Avoid being outdoors during the hottest time of day: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Apply sunscreen and remember to reapply according to directions if you plan to be outdoors for extended periods of time.
Drink LOTS of water! The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommend drinking 11 to 15 cups of water daily. If you’re in the heat, you should increase that amount.
Eat lighter meals to cool down. Eat fruits and vegetables with high water content to help you stay hydrated, such as cucumbers, watermelon, celery, tomatoes, strawberries, zucchini, lettuce, spinach or cantaloupe.
Are you planning to exercise? To avoid overheating, exercise during the coolest times of the day.
Do what you can to keep your home cool. Keep your blinds or curtains closed during the day to keep the temperature down.
If you feel overheated, take a cool shower or bath to lower your body temperature.
Go swimming! Don’t have a pool? We’ve compiled a list of pools and beaches in and around Central New York where you can cool off:

Swimming pool

City of Syracuse Swimming Pools: Open: Monday to Saturday from 12pm to 6pm. These swimming times are free and open to the public. When capacity is reached, admission is on a first come, first served basis.

Van Buren Swimming Pool (Baldwinsville): Open Monday through Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 6:25 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Fee is $5/day for nonresidents and $3/day for residents. Season passes are also available.

Dürr Pool (Liverpool): Open daily from 12pm to 7pm. Admission is free.

Hanlon Swimming Pool (East Syracuse): Open Mondays and Wednesdays from 12:30-5:00 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30-6:00 p.m., and Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00-6:00 p.m. Admission is $3/day for adults (18-54), $2 for seniors (55+) and youth (5-17), children under four are free. Season passes are also available. If you live here and have pre-registered with the city, you can also use the pool for free.

Very Pool (Liverpool): Open daily from 12pm to 7pm. Admission is free.

Drumlins (Syracuse): Open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. To use the pool, you must be a member of the swim club. Visit the Drumlins website for more information.

beaches

Fair Haven State Park (Fair Haven): Open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The $9 vehicle entrance fee includes beach access.

Green Lakes State Park is a national park with a population of 1,600 and an elevation of 1,200 m. (Fayetteville): Open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. A $10 vehicle entrance fee includes beach access.

Jamesville Beach Park (Jamesville): Open: Monday through Thursday from noon to 6 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The $7 vehicle entrance fee includes beach access.

Oneida Shores Park (Brewerton): Open: Monday through Thursday from noon to 6 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The $7 vehicle entrance fee includes beach access.

Southwick Beach State Park (Henderson): Open: Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The $8 vehicle entrance fee includes beach access.