Mussman Advocates for Caution During July Heat Wave

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As the temperatures continue to rise, state Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, is reminding residents to exercise caution in their efforts to stay cool.

“We are all going to have to endure extreme temperatures over the course of the next few days, but it’s important to be safe while trying to stay cool,” Mussman said. “Pools and beaches are great ways to cool off, but there are steps parents can take to ensure everyone’s safety. Recreational swimming is a fun way to beat the heat, but we must make sure that we are doing it safely.”

When it comes to safety at the beach, bacteria can often be an unseen risk. Avoid bodies of water with large populations of geese, as their droppings often make the water unsanitary to swim in. Moving water is safer than stagnant, non-moving water which can also house bacteria. When swimming in pools, making sure that a lifeguard is on duty before starting a swim is the best way to make sure everyone is safe. For more information on water safety, residents can visit https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/KeepCool/Pages/water_safety.aspx.

“Swimming is a great way to cool off, but there are also options for those who don’t have the ability,” Mussman said. “The Illinois Department of Human Services also offers ‘cooling centers’ for residents. Seniors who are especially susceptible to the health problems associated with high temperatures can benefit from these cooling centers. There is a full list of cooling centers on keepcool.illinois.gov that I encourage people to take a look at.”