Too hot to play: LI playground equipment reaches burn-risk temperatures amid heat wave
News 12 used an infrared thermometer to check surface temperatures on playground equipment at John J. Burns Park on Thursday afternoon — and the results were alarming.
While many families may look to playgrounds as a way to keep kids active this summer, experts warn that some equipment is becoming dangerously hot during the ongoing heat wave.
News 12 used an infrared thermometer to check surface temperatures on playground equipment at John J. Burns Park on Thursday afternoon — and the results were alarming.
A slide measured more than 125 degrees, baby swings topped 110 degrees and monkey bars were hot enough to make people pull their hands away.
“We chose Marjorie Post Park over John Burns because I knew this park was all shaded,” said one parent visiting the area.
Parents in Massapequa said the extreme temperatures are not entirely surprising, especially on equipment exposed to direct sunlight.
“If there’s no shade, then on a hot day, it’s unusable,” said Thomas Aitala of Massapequa.
Dr. John Zaso says children are especially vulnerable during extreme heat because their skin is more sensitive and can burn quickly on hot surfaces.
“They’ll get second-degree burns if they’re not careful on that,” Zaso said.
He recommends families visit playgrounds earlier in the morning or closer to sunset, when surfaces have had a chance to cool.
“What we recommend is you go out early in the morning or close to the evening when the sun is setting, when the temperatures start to cool a bit,” he said.
Doctors also urge parents to watch for signs of heat exhaustion, including excessive sweating, muscle cramps and fatigue. Staying hydrated, taking frequent breaks in the shade and reapplying sunscreen are all key to staying safe.
One Massapequa father says his family is doing everything possible to beat the heat.
“AC on 24/7. A lot of water guns, splashing. We have sunscreen everywhere. SPF 50 with minerals, all that,” said Rob Ishak.
Health experts say taking those precautions can make all the difference as Long Islanders continue to endure the summer heat wave.
