As families find ways to keep cool this holiday weekend, officials also want to remind everyone to be smart about the heat.
An excessive heat watch has been issued for parts of the state on Sunday.
But the mercury was already on the rise Friday, and dozens of kids spent the day splashing around at Goodwin Park in Hartford.
In Hartford cooling centers, splash pads and some of the city's pools are now open or will open soon. Goodwin Park was packed Friday.
“I’m kinda hot, that's why I came here. It is exciting. I love getting wet too,” said 8-year-old Leiliani Calderon.
Mom Marisol Espinosa is staying cool in the shade.
"The pool isn't open yet, so the next best thing is the sprinkler here or go to the beach you know,” Espinosa said.
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Officials want to warn folks the heat can be deadly. Check on your neighbors, pets and don't forget your kids in the car.
Many towns and cities across the state have set up cooling centers. Bloomfield’s libraries are part of that plan.
Daniel Bernard is a 10-year-old from Bloomfield. “It’s really hot and I get a headache,” he told NBC Connecticut. “Kind of cooler in here."
Brooklyn Cooke, her best friend and her best friend’s grandmother waited for the town pool to open ahead of the heat wave.
“I can play in the water,” Cookie said.
And what many of us may already know, but is a good reminder during a heat wave - be cautious of the jobs of first responders.
"The fire hydrants in the street, we ask for the community's help in making sure these hydrants aren't turned on, and children are not playing in the roadways. We've had numerous close calls in the past,” Hartford Fire Chief Reginald Freeman reminded residents.
Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin reminded families they should also make sure not to leave children and pets alone in hot cars that are locked up and turned off.
For a list of available cooling centers, click here.
