Residents Can Seek Relief from Heat at William “Hicks” Anderson Community Center Today; All City Pools and Spray Parks are Also Open

July 28, 2023

Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki and Parks and Recreation Director Ian Smith today announced that residents can seek relief from the excessive heat at William “Hicks” Anderson Community Center, located at 501 North Madison Street, between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. today and tomorrow – Thursday, July 27 and Friday, July 28, 2023. Air conditioning and water will be available at the center on these days.

In addition, all five of the City’s swimming pools and seven spray parks will open as scheduled. For more information about the City’s public swimming pools and spray parks, please contact the Department of Parks and Recreation at (302) 576-3810 or visit www.WilmingtonDE.gov/citypools.

The National Weather Service [weather.gov] has issued a Heat Advisory [forecast.weather.gov] for Wilmington and the surrounding area, which will remain in effect through the rest of today and end at 6 a.m. tomorrow, Friday, July 28. This will be followed by an Excessive Heat Warning [forecast.weather.gov] beginning at 6 a.m. Friday and lasting until 10 p.m. tomorrow night. Anyone suffering from a heat-related emergency should call 9-1-1.

 

Here are some tips for keeping yourself, family, neighbors, and pets [humanesociety.org] safe in extreme heat:

•Make a special effort to check on neighbors, especially if they are seniors, families with young children, people with special needs, or living alone.

•Never leave children, the elderly, or pets unattended in a parked car under ANY circumstances, not even for a few minutes. Brain damage or death can occur from the rapid rise of temperature inside a vehicle in a matter of minutes.

•Drink plenty of water; 1 to 1-1/2 quarts daily is recommended to prevent dehydration. Fruit juices and juice drinks are also good choices. Avoid alcohol and caffeine since they dehydrate the body.

•Wear loose, lightweight, and light-colored clothing. If you must go outside during the hottest part of the day, wear a hat wide enough to protect your face. While outdoors, rest frequently in a shady area.

•Avoid overexertion and strenuous outdoor activities. Take extra precautions if you must work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening hours and take frequent rest breaks.

•Stay in an air-conditioned environment if possible. Find places in your community where you can get cool, such as libraries, shopping malls, and community centers.

•Know the signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses [cdc.gov] such as heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heat stroke. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency, so call 9-1-1 immediately.