Many finding ways to beat the heat in Prince George’s County

GREENBELT, Md. (DC News Now) — There are workers who have to be outside in the dangerous heat, including officers and their K-9s, as well as families just looking for ways to cool off.

Kijah Powell was one of dozens who took a plunge into this pool in Greenbelt Monday evening, trying her best to beat the heat.

“To regulate your body heat and get some water on you and have some fun and just stay cool,” Powell said.

Julia Kender also decided to go for a swim to cool down.

“It is good exercise, and it was refreshing even if the water wasn’t really that cold, but that part of the pool over there was nice and cool,” Kender said.

Swimmers at the pool were not the only ones who were feeling the heat. K-9 officer Sgt. Kevin Stevenson and his K-9 Theo, a yellow lab, were also taking extra precautions on duty at the courthouse in Upper Marlboro.

“The K-9 unit is the only unit in the sheriff’s office that’s authorized to keep their vehicles idling throughout the day, so one of the things we have implemented is that our cars must have tinted windows. The tinted windows block the sun from hurting our dogs, and it also helps keep the temperature down,” Stevenson said.

Theo is a K-9 explosives detection dog. Stevenson makes sure his air conditioning in the patrol car stays cold and there is plenty of water for his dog.

“Each K-9 officer is mandated to carry a 5-gallon jug of water to not only hydrate their dog, but if the dog starts showing signs of heat stroke, we can water the dogs down,” he said.

Many are hoping the heat wave doesn’t last for long.