First day of summer brings blazing heat to Delaware

Wilmington and Newark are providing assistance and advice on coping with the season’s first heat wave.

Temperatures are soaring into the 90s, just as summer gets underway. 

In Wilmington, the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services has a limited number of new electric fans available to elderly residents free of charge.  For more information call 576-2489 or send an e-mail to cityhelp@wilmingtonde.gov. 

City-operated water “spray parks” are open from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at Father Tucker Field at 9th and Lincoln Streets, Woodlawn Park at 4th and Ferris streets, Helen Chambers Park at 6th and Madison Streets, Brown Park at 8th Avenue and Duncan Streets, Judy Johnson Park at 3rd and Clayton Streets, and Eastlake Playground at 30th and Madison.  City of Wilmington public swimming pools are not scheduled to open until July 1st.  More information on spray parks and pools is available from city Parks and Recreation at 576-3180. 

In Newark, citizens without air conditioning are welcome to visit the George Wilson Center at 303 New London Road, 9:30 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., while Newark pools are open 12:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.  The Newark Public Library is also open to the public, while senior citizens in need of a cool place may visit the Newark Senior Center at 200 White Chapel Drive from 7:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.  

The extreme heat combined with high humidity can be very dangerous.  Everyone is advised to seek air conditioning and stay out of the sun if possible, drink plenty of water, and wear light, loose-fitting clothing.  Also be sure to check on elderly relatives and neighbors, keep your pets out of the heat, and know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.  Call 911 if heat stroke is suspected.