Crowds head to the beach to beat the heat

NARRAGANSETT, R.I. (WLNE) — It’s heating up across Southern New England, and many people spent Tuesday beating the heat by heading to the beach.

Narragansett Town Beach was the place to be during the start of the extreme heat Tuesday, as beachgoers said the wind made it a perfect beach day.

“We are here to enjoy the heat, it’s about 90 degrees outside, so it’s a perfect beach day,” Glocester resident William Dwyer said. “So far this weather has been awesome, so as much as we can get down here we get down here.”

Summer is only two days away, but days like this draw in the crowds.

“You know everyone saw in the forecast that the weather is starting to turn now,” Mike Florio, waterfront director at Narragansett Town Beach, said. “I think there are a lot more people than we have seen in the past two weeks.”

Lifeguards said these are the days they are the most concerned about since people have not been exposed to hot conditions in months.

“Coming to the beach dehydrated is the worst thing you can do,” Florio added. “The beach is basically a frying pan, and you are laying on it.”

Florio added there are many ways to beat the heat while at the beach if you need a break.

“You can come up to the pavilion, there are showers up here,” Florio said. “Cool your body down, stay hydrated and you should be okay. If you start feel loopy at all, go see a lifeguard.”

During extreme heat periods, officials from the Rhode Island Department of Health recommend staying in shaded areas, scheduling your outdoor activities in the morning, wearing light-colored and light-weight clothing, and drinking water, avoiding alcohol and caffeine.