HARTFORD, Conn. — As the first heat wave of summer 2024 begins, officials in Hartford are reminding residents to stay cool and check on their neighbors.
Connecticut’s Capital City has opened all their splash pads, but their public pools are another story. The Goodwin Park Pool was still bone dry Tuesday for repair work and acquiring lifeguards.
“There’s construction being done on some of our pools and we are hiring up lifeguards for the summer. We hope to have announcements on that coming soon,” said Mayor Arunan Arulampalam.
Arulampalam asked residents to look out for each other.
“When we have these heat waves, unfortunately people in communities like this die all the time,” said the mayor.
He added, “Check in on all of those around you who may be vulnerable. Those who are elderly. Young kids. Those with preexisting conditions and your pets.”
During this time of extreme heat, the city has opened 13 cooling centers. Six of them are public libraries.
“Aside from them being cooling centers they also offer a lot of programming and resources that you are able to access while you are in the space being cool,” said Letitia Cotto of the Hartford Public Libraries.
One of the centers, the Park Street Library, is a cool space literally and figuratively. It is a place to eat, use the bathroom or charge your device.
“I think it’s a good idea. I mean you want to have a nice relaxing and safe place with A/C so you can take it easy if you aren’t hitting the beach or going to a pool,” said a Hartford resident.
Hartford Fire Department officials said they’ll be making sure everyone has access to hydration.
Fire Chief Rodney Barco said, “We will be driving by and handing out water. Also visiting all of our cooling centers to make sure our residents in those cooling centers have water as well.”
To find a cooling center near you, call 211 or 311, or visit the state website for a full list here.
Tempers can also flare during times of extreme heat. Arulampalam noted the police are continuing to be proactive in keeping the community safe.
Matt Caron is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at mcaron@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
----
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.
----
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.