Top Destinations For Chilling Out

I haven't seen any shoes melting away against the sidewalk, or birds bursting into flame mid-flight, but this heat wave is still something to take seriously. Some two dozen people have died of causes related to the recent high temperatures, according to Reuters. Today, the National Weather Service is predicting mostly sunny conditions with a high temperature of 93 degrees, although the heat index (a measure of perceived temperature based on relative humidity and high temperature) will be closer to 100.

The service advises several ways to stay safe in conditions such as these, including:

• Never leave children or pets in cars, which can quickly heat up and create lethal situations. Make sure your keys are secure and car doors locked to avoid children accidentally entering a car.
• Avoid excessive activity. Anyone with health problems should seek out a cool place.
• Stay hydrated! Drink plenty of water, and avoid alcoholic or caffeinated drinks, which will have a dehydrating effect.

My counterpart at the Waterford Patch posted on his page's Facebook post yesterday that he was going to be locking himself in his room with the air conditioning on. That's one way to beat the heat, but where else can you go to mitigate the scorching conditions today?

(Cooling Center)

The Senior Center has been set up as a cooling center. Between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., it will be open with plenty of AC going as well as a cooler of spring water. All are welcome to stop in.

Also a good air conditioned venue, the library also has plenty of things to do while you're getting out of the sun. There's a "Music Around The World" program at 10:30 a.m., computer terminals to use, movies and music to peruse, and something else...oh yeah, books.

or

Of the many parks in New London, these are the ones that seem to scream, "Shade!" Bates Woods Park encompasses 95 acres, including several wooded trails. The Arboretum, meanwhile, stretches out over 750 acres. The most out-of-the-sunlight of the trails here start from a parking lot off Gallows Lane.

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Fighting the heat with a nice swim is always a good strategy, and these are the public spots in New London where you can put it into place. Greens Harbor Beach has a free enclosed swimming spot in the Thames River off Pequot Ave. Ocean Beach has an admission charge, but plenty available to cool off including a wide stretch of Long Island Sound, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a water slide park, and air conditioned indoor spots such as an arcade.

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Sometimes, a cold treat does wonders for making the weather seem not quite so oppressive. The first two spots have dozens of ways to enjoy an ice cream sundae, cone, or milkshake while Rita's is loaded up with custard or a wide variety of Italian ices.