Workers, families find ways to beat Southwest Florida Heat

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (WINK)  — Dangerous heat is changing the way people across Southwest Florida spend their day, from families looking for relief in the water to outdoor workers adjusting their routines to stay safe.

A Heat Advisory remained in effect Thursday as afternoon temperatures climbed into the mid-90s and heat index values reached well above 100 degrees.

At Big Corkscrew Island Regional Park, the pool and splash pad were among the busiest spots as families searched for ways to cool off. While the aquatic areas stayed active, many of the nearby athletic fields saw fewer people during the hottest part of the afternoon.

For those who work outside, escaping the heat isn’t always an option.

At Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, outside services employee Brandon Koontz begins his day before sunrise, preparing golf carts and loading bags before golfers head onto the course.

A typical shift keeps him outside for about eight hours.

“This is definitely one of the hottest summers,” Koontz said. “Lifting 30- or 40-pound golf bags all day can be pretty rough when it’s 110 outside.”

Koontz said staying hydrated is part of the job. He drinks water throughout the day, changes shirts during his shift and takes advantage of shaded areas and air conditioning whenever possible.

The golf club has also added extra ways to help both employees and guests stay cool, including stocked water coolers, ice and shaded recovery areas.

Director of Operations Jessica Dupree said the club encourages associates to take breaks whenever they need them.

“We have water available all over the place,” Dupree said. “We’re always encouraging our associates to sit down, take a break. If they’re hot, go inside and get some AC.”

She added that golfers are arriving more prepared than ever, bringing personal fans, sunscreen and plenty of water as they spend hours on the course.

Thousands of other workers are also navigating the heat each day.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Florida is home to more than 109,000 delivery and sales drivers, many of whom spend their shifts repeatedly moving between air-conditioned vehicles and the outdoor heat.

Instacart driver Pete Spagnuolo said his car’s air conditioner works overtime during the summer.

“When you first get in the car, you’ve got to roll all the windows down and blast the AC for a couple minutes just to get the hot air out,” Spagnuolo said.

He said hydration is one lesson he’s learned the hard way.

“When you start feeling dehydrated, it’s too late,” Spagnuolo said. “Go inside, get cool air. Don’t try to power through it.”

The heat is also affecting local businesses that rely on working outdoors.

At Clark’s Nursery, manager Matthew Philpot said crews complete their most demanding work early in the morning before temperatures become dangerous.

“We really try to make our schedules around the heat,” Philpot said. “We know how hot it is. We know how dangerous it can be. It’s just common-sense stuff.”

Philpot said homeowners may notice plants wilting or dropping blooms during stretches of extreme heat, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they need more water.

“Don’t overwater,” he said. “Sometimes that’ll do more damage than good.”

Instead, he recommends tackling yard work and planting projects during the cooler morning or evening hours while allowing plants time to recover as temperatures fall.

Health experts also remind anyone spending time outdoors to drink water before feeling thirsty, take frequent breaks in the shade or air conditioning and recognize early signs of heat-related illness, including dizziness, nausea, headaches and weakness.