Cooling Shelters Can Provide Some Relief From The Heat

Cooling shelters are now available in Richmond County to give those without air conditioning a chance to get out of the heat during the day.

Several of Augusta's Recreation, Parks, and Facilities Buildings being used as cooling shelters are listed below, with hours they are available.

Normal body temperature for most humans is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, but problems arise when our bodies can't lose heat fast enough. Everything from organs to enzymes can shut down. It's important to avoid hard, physical activity during the extreme heat. Drink lots of water. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests drinking one 8-ounce cup every 15 to 20 minutes when working in the heat. Stay indoors or in shaded areas when it's extremely hot. It's so important to follow basic safety tips to avoid getting overheated during the hot summer months, and it's important to know the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Heat exhaustion occurs when your body loses excess amounts of water and salt, most likely from sweating. Here are the most common warning signs:

To treat heat exhaustion, move to a cool place. Loosen your clothes, sip some water and place a cool, wet cloth on your skin. Spray water on your body with a mister, lie down and raise your feet.

Heat stroke can be much more serious than heat exhaustion and requires immediate medical attention to prevent complications. Here are the most common warning signs:

Call 911 right away. Lower the person's body temperature with cold water. When the body temperature goes above 104 degrees, the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and brain can all begin to shut down. If the person is awake and can swallow, give them sips of water. Begin CPR if the person loses consciousness and shows no signs of breathing, coughing or movement.

When the temperatures start rising in the CSRA, more and more people head to the water to cool off. And when you're spending more time near the water, it's important you know how to practice water safety to reduce the risk of injuries or drowning.

From local pools to the lake and river, there are many spots to cool down and enjoy the water around the area. And the beach isn't too far away either. No matter where you choose to take a dip to cool off, you want to make sure that everyone remains safe.

If you don't have a pool of your own, there are various public pools throughout the CSRA. Some of these pools are accessible by paying a fee each time you visit. There are other pools that will require membership. Here are a few spots to check out:

And many kids will get to enjoy some pool time at summer camps. Check out those camps HERE.

In addition to pools, the Augusta area has many places you can enjoy sitting by the water, boating, kayaking, and more.

There are various beach and recreation areas around Strom Thurmond/Clarks Hill Lake. You can boat, fish, hike, bike, and camp at some of these areas, like Mistletoe State Park in Appling, Elijah Clark State Park in Lincolnton, and West Dam near Clarks Hill, South Carolina.

Another "lake" to enjoy is Richardson's Lake Water Park and Outdoor Recreation Area, located at 919 Richardson's Lake Road in Warrenville, SC. They have sandy beaches, water slides, diving boards, and concessions.

In Augusta, you've also got the Rae's Creek Aqueduct on Augusta Levee Road. It's part of a park and features stone arches and has one of the best waterfalls in the area.

With so many places to enjoy the water, before go, make sure you're prepared!

When it comes to swimming, whether in a pool or in the open water, you should never swim alone. Ideally, having a lifeguard present would be best, but if there isn't one, at least have other people nearby in case of an issue. Swimming with friends is more fun anyway, and it's good to have people looking out for you and you can look out for them. In open water areas, the chances of having a lifeguard present is very low.

You should follow any posted signed wherever you swim, and never leave children unattended.

Regardless of swimming ability, it's recommended you always wear a life jacket when you're on a boat.  Life jackets should also be used with children and anyone who doesn't know how to swim. These life jackets should be U.S. Coast Guard-approved and appropriate for your weight and size and the water activity.

For the most part, you know what to expect with a swimming pool. But it's important that children and those with limited or no swimming abilities know the depth of the pool and the areas where it's more shallow. When it comes to open water, it's important to be aware of the risk for currents in a river or the ocean.

Also keep in mind that in new areas, you may not be aware of the depth.  This is important to know, and may be more difficult with unclear water. Open water also includes being aware of what may be beneath the water's surface, including vegetation and wildlife.

Diving into water that is too shallow could lead to injury or death. It's important to enter the water properly, and only jump or dive in where it's safe to do so.

Learning to swim can be extremely helpful in preventing water-related injury or death. Even basic swim lessons can teach water competency which includes entering the water, getting a breath, and how to stay afloat.

While knowing water safety can prevent some risks, accidents can still happen. If a drowning or pool-related accident occurs, knowing lifesaving techniques, including CPR could mean the difference between life and death. The American Red Cross offers CPR classes, and you can get details and find the next available class HERE.