Common Council

Stretch of Hot Weather Demands Attention for Health & Safety

An extended period of hot and humid weather will mean extra precautions for residents to stay safe and healthy.

"The weather forecast calls for some very warm temperatures in the coming days," said Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway. "One of the most important things we should all keep in mind is to keep watch on friends and neighbors who may not have air conditioning. Please check on elderly neighbors and if possible, invite them to your home."

Air-conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat-related illness and death. During conditions of extreme heat, spend time in locations with air-conditioning such as shopping malls, public libraries, senior centers and other public buildings.

Operators of homeless shelters and day shelters are adjusting hours during this stretch of weather so that residents utilizing those facilities are able to move from one airconditioned building to another without additional time outdoors in the heat.

Water related activities in Madison Parks are one way to help people cool down.

Splash parks, free and open daily, 10am to 8pm

• Cypress Spray Park, 902 Magnolia Ln.
• Reindahl (Amund) Park, 1818 Portage Rd.
• Elver Park, 1250 McKenna Blvd.

Beaches with lifeguard service, free (hours and days as indicated)

• BB Clarke Beach, 835 Spaight St. (daily, 11am – 7pm)
• Bernie's Beach, 901 Gilson St. (Friday – Sunday, 12pm – 4pm)
• Esther Beach, 2802 Waunona Way (Friday – Sunday, 12pm – 4pm)
• Olbrich Park Beach, 3527 Atwood Ave (Wednesday – Sunday, 12pm – 4pm)
• Spring Harbor Beach, 1918 Norman Way (Friday – Sunday, 12pm – 4pm)
• Tenney Park Beach, 1414 E. Johnson St. (Wednesday – Sunday, 12pm – 4pm)
• Vilas Park Beach, 702 S. Randall St. (daily, 11am – 7pm)
• Warner Park Beach, 2930 N. Sherman Ave. (Friday – Sunday, 12pm – 4pm)

Beaches with no lifeguard service

• Brittingham Park, 701 W. Brittingham Pl.
• James Madison Park, 614 E. Gorham St.
• Marshall Park, 2101 Allen Blvd.
• Olin Park, 1156 Olin-Turville Ct.

Check the Public Health Madison & Dane County for water testing results and possible beach
closures.

Goodman Pool, 325 W. Olin Ave.
Recreation Swim ($5, adult Madison resident, $3, youth Madison resident, $4 senior
Madison resident):
Monday and Wednesday, 1:00 - 5:45 pm
Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 1:00 - 8:00 pm
Saturday, 12:15 - 7:00 pm
Sunday, 12:00 - 7:00 pm

Older adults and young children are particularly susceptible to extreme heat. If you are 65 years of age or older, have a friend or relative call to check on you twice a day during a heat wave. If you know someone in this age group, check on them at least twice a day.

The most common forms of heat-related illness are heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and cramping. Heat stroke is an emergency in which the body loses its ability to cool itself. To respond to heat stroke, CALL 911 or go to the closest emergency room.

To protect your health when temperatures are extremely high, remember to keep cool and stay hydrated. Drink plenty of cool fluids – alcohol and drinks with large amounts of sugar can actually cause you to lose more body fluid.

By using common sense and showing compassion for those around us, we can have a safe and healthy summer