Many East Polk County homes are located near one of the county's 554 lakes. And if a lake isn't nearby, there's a good chance the home has one of the nearly 30,000 pools in East Polk County. And some homeowners are lucky enough to have the best of both worlds.
When Central Florida temperatures hit the 90s, East Polk County residents seek ways to cool off during the long, hot days of summer. The average temperature for June, July and August is about 83, but add the heat index to that, and being outdoors is sometimes just unbearable.
People of all ages and walks of life need a way to cool off during the summer's heat.
Lakes are just a hop, skip and a jump away to take a dip. However, most East Polk residents say they don't swim in the lakes for several reasons, with alligators being the biggest one. However, people do enjoy water skiing, fun with personal watercraft, innertubing and boating. With hundreds of natural, freshwater lakes and some streams and rivers, Polk County has become known as the home of lakes for many people - especially for those looking for a good place to boat and fish - and for those who visit from all over the world.
Fishermen also are among a huge group of people who use the water. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, an estimated 74,000 people fish Polk County's lakes annually.
Some people enjoy the local waters by simply going for a boat ride out on the water to cool off. Feeling the breeze whip around the boat is just one way to cool off the body temperature. The number of people taking advantage of this way to keep cool is rather large. In 1999, 26,300 boats were registered in Polk County, according to the county Tax Collector's Office.
Polk County owns and maintains 53 boat ramps and municipalities own an additional 34 boat ramps. Together, these boat ramps provide public access to 88 lakes. Polk County long has been recognized as the "Water Ski Capital of the World," due in large measure to its hundreds of accessible freshwater lakes.
But, if a lake just isn't your style, there are plenty of city pools around East Polk County waiting for sunbathers and cannonballers.
According to the Lake Wales YMWA, on an average summer day, it has between 250 and 300 swimmers. Last year, the Haines City Aquatic Park opened at Lake Eva and, according to the director of parks and recreation, more than 1,000 guests visit the park every day during the summer.
In addition to the lakes and city-operated programs, there are people who enjoy just good ol' fun at home. They include the Shaughnessys of Haines City.
They live on a Lake Eva and also have a pool. This enables the family's girls, Riley, 2, and Bailey, 4, to enjoy every chance possible to play in the water. But, if by some chance Mom says no to the pool, the girls also have other activities to keep them cool.
"No matter what else is going on, Riley always loves to play in the water hose," says her mother, Mandy Shaughnessy.
Between the lawn water slide, the water squirter attached to the end of the garden hose and all the other fun water-related toys, the Shaughnessy girls stay busy.
Riley and Bailey currently are enrolled in swimming lessons for four days each week. Riley is just learning, but Bailey already is working on her strokes.
Bailey says her favorite place to go when she gets really hot is "in the pool to swim." She says her favorite pool toy is her "floaties."
"I like the floaty horse and all kinds of stuff," she says.
Some East Polk residents need a break from the heat while they are working. The owner of Guinn Electrical, Dennis Guinn, says that after 17 years of working in the same job, the heat doesn't really bother him.
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Bailey Shaughnessy 4 pushes off from her father Nick in the pool while keeping cool at her house during the hot summer heat.
George Aycrigg / News Chief |
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"I've gotten used to it," he says. "But I still like to play golf in the evenings when it is a bit cooler."
The employees of Martin Paving in Lake Hamilton have one hot job. Between the weather and the heated asphalt that comes off the truck, it can be almost unbearable.
But, according their supervisor, Brian O'Leary, the workers are encouraged to take a water break when needed and he, as well as the other supervisors, keeps a close eye on all the employees while they are working.
Heat exhaustion, heat cramps or heat stroke can occur after prolonged or intense exposure to hot temperatures. By reducing excessive exposure to high temperatures and taking other precautionary steps, most heat-related illnesses can be avoided. Those who work in hot or humid environments - such as manufacturing plants, bakeries or construction sites during summer months - are most at risk.
However, even long, hot afternoons at the beach can pose problems if warning signs are ignored.
When someone is sweating excessively, the body loses large amounts of water and salt. As with heat exhaustion, heat cramps can strike when the body loses excessive amounts of fluids and salt. This is caused by the loss of the same nutrients, but other essential nutrients, such as potassium and magnesium, can be lost as well.
Heat stroke, the most serious of the heat-related illnesses, occurs when the body suffers from long, intense exposure to heat and loses its ability to cool itself. With prompt treatment, most people recover completely from heat illness. However, heat stroke can be deadly if not properly managed.
