In the midst of high heat and humidity Newton residents cooled off the best way they could; they went to the pool. The Fred C. Maytag pool in Newton, located at 310 S 11th Ave. W., was packed on Thursday afternoon, as Newton residents tried to cool off as the heat index soared to more than a 100 degrees.
As temperatures soar this week, the National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for central Iowa, including Newton. Residents are advised to stay inside, and seek out cooling centers if their homes aren’t air conditioned. While the high temperatures are projected to be in the mid 90s the combination of warm weather and high humidity has pushed the heat index more than 100 degrees. Some forecasts have projected Friday’s heat index to reach 110 degrees.
During an excessive heat warning, residents are advised to be watchful for heat related illnesses, including dehydration and heat related exhaustion. The United States Department of Human Services issued a press release this week reminding residents that while young children or animals should never be left unattended in automobiles, the risk is much higher in extreme hot weather.
Lifeguard Matthew Karsten, a senior at Newton High School said that the heat has brought residents out in record numbers this week. As part of his lifeguard training Karsten watches for signs of heat exhaustion or dehydration in children, making sure to remind kids to cool off and drink plenty of fluids throughout the day.
“We’ve had a few kids complaining, we just try to get some fluids in them,” Karsten said. “I’m drinking a lot of water myself and trying to get in the water to cool off as much as possible.”
For Sue Coleman, of Newton, the pool was a welcome respite from a morning spent remodeling her home. She and her husband brought their four kids out to the pool on Thursday afternoon, and Coleman said they planned to keep coming back as long as the hot weather persists.
“It was either this or sit at home in front of the air conditioning,” Coleman said.
In addition to going to the pool, the Coleman family has found plenty of other ways to beat the heat this week. Earlier in the week Coleman organized a slumber party for the kids to watch movies during the day in their living room, which she said was the coolest room in the house. She’s also been handing out plenty of freezer pops all week.
“We’ll be right back here tomorrow,” Coleman said. We’ve been working on our remodeling projects in the morning, and then we bring the kids here in the afternoon to cool off.”
Even though she has a pool in her backyard Emily Henderson said she still likes coming to the Maytag pool to and visit with friends. Her job at Wells Fargo keeps her cool during the day, but Henderson says it’s nice to come cool off at the pool in the afternoons. If it doesn’t cool off soon, Henderson said she’s thinking about getting out of town for awhile.
“I’ll be back here tomorrow, but we’ve been thinking about going to the waterparks at Wisconsin Dells this weekend,” Henderson said.
Contact David Dolmage at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or ddolmage@newtondailynews.com