High temperatures send South Hills residents flocking to pools

Betty Abel is a happy woman.
As the owner of Mineral Beach swimming pool in Union Township, she has been busier than normal.
“I came to work a half an hour early the other day, and there were already 40 people in line to get in,” said Abel, adding she is averaging 600 to 800 customers on a nice day.
If the 15-day forecast from myforecast.com is any indicator, then Abel will be busy through the first half of August. Temperatures hovering the 90s, coupled with heavy thunderstorms, have left hot, humid conditions and many South Hills residents scrambling for ways to cool off.
Temperatures are expected to be in the high 80s and low- to mid-90s through Aug. 9, when the mercury is expected to top out at 96 degrees. Five straight days of thunderstorms are predicted for July 29 through Aug. 2, the web site said.
Melissa Lindberg, who oversees membership and marketing at the Upper St. Clair Community & Recreation Center, which features a gym and indoor swimming pool, said she has not really noticed a spike in attendance because of the weather.
“People are more or less coming because we are open year-round,” Lindberg said.
It is a different story at the South Park Wave Pool, said Bob Engott, pool manager.
“We had 1,600 people Saturday (July 23) and Sunday (July 24),” he said. “On Friday (July 22), we had 292, but on Thursday (July 21) we had 1,200 and on Tuesday, (July 19) we had 1,200. We’ve been busy.”
During the streak of hot weather, health officials said it’s important to be cognizant of young children and senior citizens, who tend to be more susceptible to the warm weather. The main sign of a heat stroke includes a body temperature of 104 degrees, or higher. Other signs include an altered mental state or behavior such as slurred speech, delirium and seizures; alteration in sweating, nausea and vomiting; flushed skin; and rapid breathing and heart rate, according to the Allegheny County Department of Health.
If you suspect someone might be suffering from heat stroke, get immediate medical attention. In the interim, get the person indoors or into some shade, remove excess clothing, and cool her or him with any means available. That would include putting the person into a tub of cool water or a cool shower, or even spraying her or him with a hose.
Health department officials are urging people to stay inside, preferably in air conditioning because fans are not effective in 90-degree heat; to drink plenty of fluids and avoid strenuous exercise; and wear lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing.