CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
Chicagoans are bracing for possible record breaking temperatures Thursday with highs near or above 100 degrees.
By 6 a.m. Thursday, North Avenue Beach was already a busy place with walkers, runners, bikers, bladers and swimmers.
One woman said she really doesn't mind the hot weather, and was out walking to perhaps lose a few pounds before a wedding she's attending Friday night.
"I figure with all this walking it ought to be good for dropping a couple pounds," Amanda said.
Amanda also said she's going to check on some elderly neighbors who live in her neighborhood off of Northwest Highway.
Chicago emergency officials cautioned residents to be careful on Thursday. The last day Chicago hit 100 was back in 2005.
The Office of Emergency Management and Communications alerted the public to the dangers of triple digit temperatures.
Public safety officials announced they will start a command center for Thursday, while the area is under a heat advisory.
"We're using this as an opportunity to exercise some of our practices and some of our collaborative efforts that we developed over the last year," Gary Schenkel, Executive Director for OEMC, said.
Kids spent Wednesday afternoon taking advantage of the park districts pools.
"My family came out to swim, my wife she brought the girls earlier and I came and brought him," Melvin Sanders said.
After taking a dip, Sanders and his son Jamari dried off and prepared for the warmer day, Thursday.
According to park district officials, the kids' safety during area summer camps is a priority.
"They can bring extra water...or extra sunscreen. We're going to keep them out of the sun as much as possible. After 11:30 they will only be in shady areas," Chicago Park District's Matt Marino said.
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On 31st Street beach, people enjoyed baking in the sun and splashing in Lake Michigan on Wednesday.
Others like Fareeda Abdullah and her family, spent their time in the shade.
"It's very, very hot," Abdullah said. "But in the shade it's nice and cool,"
The family brought plenty of water and fruit to stay hydrated.
"I doubt if we came out tomorrow. But, we'll come back here if so, dipping in and out of the water again," Abdullah added.
Want more information? Check our Beat the Heat Survival Guide.
