Cape Fear residents find cool relief as heat advisory takes hold

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — With a heat advisory in effect for the Cape Fear Friday and Saturday, it is important to find ways to stay cool and ensure you are properly hydrated. 

Lots of people are heading to the beach or pool to escape the heat.  

But others are cooling off in a different way, on the ice. 

At the Polar Ice House in Wilmington, fifth grader Gavin Johnson laced up his skates. 

“I play hockey for the junior Seahawks, and I wanted to come just hang out because it’s hot outside,” Johnson said. 

Rob Floresca Jr is a shift manager at the Polar Ice House. He says this summer, business has been busier than usual. 

“What better place to come to than you have a sheet of ice, nice and cool, beat the heat, beat the traffic and all of the people at the beach and dealing with that. Try something new,” Floresca emphasized.  

Staying cool isn’t just about comfort, it’s about safety. 

Novant Health nurse practitioner Rand Pennington says in this heat, staying hydrated is key. 

“Make sure that you hydrate appropriately, doesn’t mean just taking in free water so drinking tap water. But also making sure that you are replacing your electrolytes, we recommend drinking things like Gatorade or Pedialyte,” Pennington shared. 

Pennington says taking frequent breaks in the air conditioning is ideal. 

“Water activities, cooling off by using fans and things that blow air across you to get the sweat to basically evaporate and then staying indoors with air conditioning as much as possible,” Pennington informed the community.  

This is especially true for older adults or those who work outdoors. 

“Anybody over the age of 60, 65 probably has more difficulty with the heat but anybody is at risk for heat related illnesses especially people who work outside in these conditions and maybe don’t have access to going in to cool off,” Pennington emphasized. 

As for Gavin, his advice? 

“Try to find their nearest ice rink or like some water to cool out,” Gavin said. 

Pennington also suggests, if you’re outside, take lots of breaks and find a place in the shade. 

If you’re inside, remember to keep window blinds and curtains closed because that will reflect a surprising amount of heat coming in through the windows.