ORLANDO, Fla. – Central Florida’s summer heat is sending people indoors, onto the water and reaching for sunscreen as dangerous temperatures arrive earlier and last later into the day.
At the Fairview Boat Ramp in Orlando, families said getting near the water is one way to cool off after a long, hot day.
Jake Bailey, an Orlando resident who works construction six days a week, said he knows the heat well.
“I’m always out in the heat,” Bailey said.
Asked how hot it felt, Bailey said he spent much of the day in his car and described recent days in the 90s as intense.
“It’s been a 10, man,” he said.
Others said the best way to handle the heat is to get in the water.
“You go surfing,” Florida resident Garrett Jones said. “You got to get in the water, and you got to get it on the lake.”
But spending time outside also means taking steps to protect your body. Bailey said sunscreen is part of his routine, especially while working outdoors.
“I’m a sunscreen man,” he said. “Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen.”
A poll on ClickOrlando.com found 91% of voters said the best way to beat the heat is to stay inside and crank up the air conditioning.
News 6 Chief Meteorologist Candace Campos said the latest round of heat advisories shows the heat is not only intense, but lasting longer than usual.
“Usually, our heat advisories go from about 11:00 to 7:00, but in this last round, they’ve been going 10:00 to 8:00, meaning it’s getting hotter earlier and staying hotter later in the day,” Campos said.
Meteorologists urge people not to wait until they feel thirsty to hydrate. Keeping water and ice nearby can help reduce the risk of heat-related illness, especially for those working or spending extended time outdoors.
As high temperatures continue, residents are encouraged to limit time in the sun, use sunscreen and take breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas.