Syracuse Sun

With meteorologists predicting this summer to be one of the hottest on record, it is important to know how to keep cool. Here are some tips on staying safe during extremely hot days:

Avoid being outside during the hottest part of the day, typically from 3 to 6 p.m. Wear sunscreen and remember to reapply according to instructions if you plan to be outside for an extended period. Drink plenty of water; the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine suggest drinking 11-15 cups daily, increasing that amount if you are out in the heat.

Eating lighter meals can help you feel cooler. Consume fruits and vegetables with high water content such as cucumbers, watermelon, celery, tomatoes, strawberries, zucchini, lettuce, spinach or cantaloupe. If planning on exercising, consider working out during the coolest parts of the day to avoid overheating.

To keep your home cool, close blinds or curtains during the day. Taking a cool shower or bath can help lower your body temperature if you feel overheated.

Swimming is another effective way to stay cool. For those without access to a pool at home, here is a list of pools and beaches in and around Central New York:

**Pools:**

- City of Syracuse Pools: Open Monday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m., free and open to the public.

- Burnet Park

- Kirk Park

- Lincoln Park

- McKinley Park

- Schiller Park

- Thornden Park

- Upper Onondaga Park

- Wilson Park: Opens Sunday, June 30.

- Van Buren Pool (Baldwinsville): Open Monday through Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 6:25 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.; $5/day for non-residents and $3/day for residents.

- Duerr Pool (Liverpool): Open seven days a week from noon to 7 p.m.; admission is free.

- Hanlon Pool (East Syracuse): Open for recreation swim Monday and Wednesday from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday through Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.; $3/day for adults (18-54), $2 for seniors (55-plus) and youth (5-17), children four and under are free.

- Sehr Pool (Liverpool): Open seven days a week from noon to 7 p.m.; admission is free.

- Drumlins (Syracuse): Open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; requires swim club membership.

**Beaches:**

- Fair Haven State Park (Fair Haven): Open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; $9 vehicle entrance fee includes beach access.

- Green Lakes State Park (Fayetteville): Open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; $10 vehicle entrance fee includes beach access.

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

- Oneida Shores Park (Brewerton): Open Monday through Thursday from noon to six pm., Friday through Sunday from eleven am.to six pm; $7 vehicle entrance fee includes beach access.

-Southwick Beach State Park(Henderson) :Open Monday through Thursday eleven am.to seven pm.and Friday through Sunday ten am.to seven pm; $8 vehicle entrance fee includes beach access.