Families finding ways to stay safe in Horry County heat

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — As the summer months continue, temperatures and heat indexes sore into the hundreds and mid 90s, and Savannah’s Playground in Market Common fluctuated between 92-97 degrees on Tuesday after the heat index reached 103.

Myrtle Beach Fire Department Capt. Jonathan Evans said that kids’ bodies take on the heat differently when it comes to regulating their temperatures. He said that staying hydrated with the brutal sunrays is essential all summer, but especially with heat warnings.

“Kids don’t always understand what’s going on with their body because they’re not used to how their body changes in temperature and how it fluctuates,” he said. “So, it’s best to keep an eye on them because it can be a real rapid change for them if they end up having some sort of heat exhaustion.”

One family from the Forestbrook area said that they were outside for no more than 15 minutes after feeling the affects of the heat on their bodies. The mother of the family, Alyssa Shaw, said that her kids usually nap during the middle of the day to avoid the highest temperatures during the day.

But Shaw said even Tuesday morning, it was still hot, which was when she knew it was time for them to get water and go home.

“Usually, as a parent, you know your kids and what they can handle and [you] follow your gut instinct about if you’re outside, when it’s time to go in,” she said. “If you’re hot, they’re probably going to be hot too. We all need water, we all need sunscreen, so making sure you’re covering all your basis before you go outside.”

Another family visiting from Ohio said that with the hot temperatures, they made sure to plan their families vacation itinerary.

The mother of the family, Rachel Dietsch, said that they they started their morning with playing mini golf and ensuring that they would be able to play in the shade. She said since she knew they wouldn’t be at the beach on Tuesday that she wanted to make sure that her kids could have fun while still staying safe.

“The park is great,” she said. “You just have to watch out cause some things are really, really hot.” “Kind of testing and touching things out before they’re getting on, then they’ll be OK. But you got to drink that water and get inside when you can.”

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Gabby Jonas joined the News13 team as a multimedia journalist in April 2024. She is from Columbus, Ohio, and graduated from Kent State University in May 2023. Follow Gabby on X, formerly Twitter , Facebook or Instagram , and read more of her work here .

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