5 Best Ways to Keep Cool in Extreme South Dakota Heat

Some jobs are really tough when it gets extremely hot outside. A friend texted me this morning that "construction doesn't stop for heat." So what do people in that industry, or others that must work outside do to stay cool?

According to Gray.com, there are five ways to keep construction workers, or anyone else laboring in the heat, as cool as possible during extreme periods of heat.

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5 Best Ways to Keep Cool in Extreme South Dakota Heat

1 - Hydration

Obvious but also the most important. Drink water every 15-20 minutes, even if you aren't thirsty. I'm guilty of falling behind on fluid intake because I just don't have the urge to quench my thirst. Being outside all day on normal hot summer days with temps in the upper 80s or low 90s, with heat like we're about to get it is even more important.

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2 - Rest in cool shaded areas

Getting the sun off you for a while can give you a recharge. And working in full sunlight can increase the heat index by as much as 15 degrees. Getting breaks in the shade is huge.

3 - Take more breaks

Taking the same number of breaks during extreme heat as you would when the temperature is 65 doesn't work. Take every break you can. Gray.com urged supervisors to give more breaks and have a plan in place for nasty days like this.

4 - Know the signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke

I had pretty bad heat exhaustion as a kid. I was dizzy, cramping, sweaty, and weak. Those are just four of the heat exhaustion symptoms to look out for. Headache, nausea or vomiting, and fast heart rate are others. Heatstroke is even worse. Look for high temperature, red, hot, and dry skin, confusion, fainting, and convulsions. Call 911 if you see or get these.

5 - Alter your schedule

If it is up to you, work overnight or only early and very late in the day. If it isn't hopefully your bosses will change the schedule so that you aren't working with the heat index at its highest point in the day.

NEED TO KNOW: What is Heat Stroke and How to Prevent it

Sioux Falls Outdoor Pools

Summer in Sioux Falls is beautiful. But sometimes you need to cool off. Sioux Falls has some great outdoor public pools and a fun spray park in addition to the indoor Midco Aquatic Center.

Sioux Falls' outdoor public pools are open for summer 2022 (when the weather cooperates).

Sioux Falls public pools are open from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM and from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM.

Prices are $5 for ages 2 to 17, $6 for adults, seniors 55+ are $5, and children under 2 are free. The Spray Park and the wading pools at Frank Olson, Kuehn, and McKennan are free.

You can also get a Sioux Falls swim pass and swim all summer. You can buy a swim pass at the Midco Aquatic Center or at most of the outdoor pools all summer. For more about the Sioux Falls swim pass click here.

32 Things to Do in Sioux Falls This Summer That Are Absolutely Free!

Sure, there are tons of things to do in the Sioux Empire every summer, but if your entertainment budget is small (or zero), we have the solution - actually, we have lots of solutions.

Here is a list of family-friendly (and some, just adult-friendly) events happening this summer in the Sioux Falls area that you should check out. Oh, the best part, everything on this list is FREE.

Filed Under: Sioux Falls, Weather

Categories: News, Newsletter KKLS, Sioux Falls, South Dakota