Region prepares for scorching weekend

Many people around the region are bracing for hot weather over the next several days. Our Dom Amato found there are plenty of ways to beat the heat and stay safe while doing it.

"It's a nice hot day, so it's really nice to do this, cause the water is nice and cold, so it cools it down," said 10-year-old Chase Tefts-Young, one of dozens of kids enjoying a community cool down at the Milton Fire Department Friday. "I came here because I wanted to see what it was about. And it's epic how big it is and how they're using, like, fire hydrants to do it."

If you weren't cooling off in Milton, maybe you took a dip in Lake Champlain. But Friday morning blue-green algae blooms closed Blanchard Beach in Burlington.

"Personally, I think it sucks," said Theresa Bugbee. She says she understands the dangers of cyanobacteria, but wishes more could be done to avoid closing the beach. "It effects the way people want to be able to use our greatest resource."

Burlington officials collected two samples Friday morning. Results take almost 40 minutes to come back, but Blanchard Beach was eventually reopened.

"It's been really warm the last few days, the water temperature is really warm, so that's why we've been getting a lot of it the last week or so." said Alec Kaeding with Burlington Parks Recreation and Waterfront.

But, if you'd rather stay indoors on a hot day, designated cooling shelters like the Fletcher Free Library offer a comfortable place to hang out for a while, or just grab a quick drink of water. "We are a designated cooling center, but we're also cool everyday that we're open, so people can always come here and cool off when it's hot," said the library's Emer Pond Feeney.

Cooling off and staying hydrated are key. Health officials suggest checking in on elderly family and neighbors, but also don't spend too much time outside yourself.

"Go out have a good time, it's going to be a beautiful weekend it looks like," said UVM Medical Center's David Weiss. "Please go enjoy those things, but just be smart about it."

Residents in Lebanon, New Hampshire, can beat the heat this weekend by swimming in the public pool for free.

The city's recreation department is waving admissions fees for both Saturday and Sunday. The pool is open from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Anyone with a Lebanon I.D. can get in at no charge.

City officials are urging the public not to take the heat for granted and use common sense. "Keep your pets inside if you can. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Check on your neighbors and make sure they are doing ok. And if you see something, make sure you give us a call," said Lebanon Fire Chief Chris Christopoulos.

Click here for the latest on blue-green algae warnings from around the region.

COOLING CENTERS WILL BE OPEN IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:

Burlington:

Miller Center

Friday - 1 p.m.-3 p.m.

Saturday - 1 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

Fletcher Free Library

Friday and Saturday - 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Barre:

Friday:

Aldrich Library -- until 7 p.m.

City Hall -- until 4 p.m.