Outdoors Suffering From Heat

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Posted: 11:23 PM Jul 20, 2011 Outdoors Suffering From Heat Summer days filled with baseball games and outdoor fun are gone for the time being as groups cancel activities due to the heat. Empty playgrounds aren't the only indicators of high temperatures. Reporter: Chip Brewster Email Address: Chip.Brewster@wifr.com

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ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- Summer days filled with baseball games and outdoor fun are gone for the time being as groups cancel activities due to the heat. Empty playgrounds aren't the only indicators of high temperatures.

The sprinklers they are a' running. After several days of glaring sun and little to no rain many lawns and landscaping throughout the Stateline are showing the weather wear. For Chris Haley that's unacceptable.

"I just put a lot of work into it so I'm not going to let it go to waste for five or six days," says Haley.

Chris has been working on her landscape for about five years. While the rest of us may not put in as much effort most of us still have lawns to worry about. Any tips?

"For the yard right now, for the grass, I'm watering it every third day just to keep it green right now," says Haley.

"Also when you're cutting your grass, leave it to a height of about three inches. This helps to retain some of the moisture," says Rockford Water Division Head Tim Holdem.

Grass isn't the only thing being killed off by the heat wave. Numerous outdoor activities are getting the ax -- at least until the heat passes.

Horseback riding at Lockwood Park, FIRE Track and Field and NFL cheer and flag football are just a few that have been canceled.

While former participants are urged to stay indoors for Chris a little time in the sun is necessary.

"My hydrangeas and stuff, they wouldn't make it. I'd have to start over from scratch so there are some things that are worth it. Hopefully it cools up soon huh?"

Rockford Park District's Time 2 Play Summer Playground events have also been changed but not canceled. Those enrolled are instead taking a field trip to the movies for a showing of Cars 2.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Diane on Jul 21, 2011 at 12:52 PM

I know the heat is getting to alot of ppl....even the kids....everything & most of e1 is suffering cuz of this high heat...I love summer...but can we gwet a little bit of a break ? Plz....some of us have to worry about what our electric & water bills r gonna look like...so we have to limit our use on the water & the AC....wish it wasn't this way...but this is reality.

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FAMILY DISASTER PLAN
Families should be prepared for all hazards that could affect their area. NOAA’s National Weather Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the American Red Cross urge every family to develop a family disaster plan. Where will your family be when disaster strikes? They could be anywhere at work, at school, or in the car. How will you find each other? Will you know if your children are safe? Disaster may force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services water, gas, electricity, or telephones were cut off?

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Gather information about hazards.
Contact your local National Weather Service office, emergency management office, and American Red Cross chapter. Find out what type of disasters could occur and how you should respond. Learn your community’s warning signals and evacuation plans.

Meet with your family to create a plan.
Discuss the information you have gathered. Pick two places to meet: a spot outside your home for an emergency, such as fire, and a place away from your neighborhood in case you can’t return home. Choose an out-of-state friend as your family check-in contact for everyone to call if the family gets separated. Discuss what you would do if advised to evacuate.

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(1) Post emergency telephone numbers by phones;(2) Install safety features in your house, such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers; (3) Inspect your home for potential hazards (such as items that can move, fall, break, or catch fire) and correct them; (4) Have your family learn basic safety measures, such as CPR and first aid; how to use a fire extinguisher; and how and when to turn off water, gas, and electricity in your home; (5) Teach children how and when to call 911 or your local Emergency Medical Services number; (6) Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least three days. Assemble a disaster supplies kit with items you may need in case of an evacuation. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers, such as backpacks or duffle bags. Keep important family documents in a waterproof container. Keep a smaller disaster supplies kit in the trunk of your car.

A DISASTER SUPPLIES KIT SHOULD INCLUDE: A 3-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won’t spoil one change of clothing and footwear per person one blanket or sleeping bag per person a first aid kit, including prescription medicines emergency tools, including a battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio and a portable radio, flashlight, and plenty of extra batteries an extra set of car keys and a credit card or cash special items for infant, elderly, or disabled family members.

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