SYRACUSE -- With Central New York officially in a record heat wave, the state is giving you some extra time to cool down.
Governor Andrew Cuomo is extending hours at several state parks and swimming facilities. The extra hours start Friday and last through Saturday evening.
"These high temperatures can be dangerous if New Yorkers don't take the proper precautions. Offering these extended hours will help New Yorkers beat the heat," Governor Cuomo says.
Here in Central New York, Green Lakes, Verona Beach, Delta Lake, and Sandy Island Beach State Parks will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. That means they're opening an hour early and closing an hour late. Will you take advantage of the extended hours?
Several other facilities around the area have extended hours. Click here to read our list of places you can cool off.
In addition, National Grid is asking its customers to reduce their electric consumption Friday afternoon until 6 pm. The utility says it has ample supply to meet the day's expected demand. However, they also say they are trying to relieve stress on some local distribution equipment.
"There's an ample supply of electricity but in certain pockets as demand increases, it stresses our local equipment and by asking people to reduce the demand, it reduces the stress and reduces the challenge, increasing the reliability of that system," says National Grid Spokesperson Al Bianchetti.
Bianchetti says on Thursday when the temperature topped 100 degrees, use peaked higher than last year's high.
National Grid is asking customers to turn off lights that are not being used, raise the thermostats on air conditioners to the highest temperature you can be comfortable with, and avoid using electric appliances. Unplug devices like computers and DVRs that are not being used.
What are you doing to beat the heat? Will you turn off your electronic devices to help save power? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think.
