Sweltering temperatures kept swimming pools and bottled-water vendors busy Sunday, although officials reported few actual health problems.

Greg Langland and his dog, Odie, of Northside, try to escape the sweltering Sunday heat with a walk through Eden Park's Mirror Lake. (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

        Scott Miller of Mason put four water bottles in a plastic bag filled with ice as he joined the crowd piling into Cinergy Field for the Reds baseball game.

        “We'll put lots of sunscreen on and just play it smart,” the 39-year-old dad said. “If it gets too hot, we'll grab some shade under the canopy.”

        The Greater Cincinnati area was under a heat advisory Sunday as the heat index fluctuated between 100 and 105 degrees. Temperatures reached 93 degrees, and humidity was close to 60 percent, said Sam McNeil, meteorol ogist with the National Weather Service.

        The Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services issued a smog alert for today , and is encouraging people to fuel their vehicles and mow their lawns after 6 p.m. No smog alert was issued Sunday.

        The weather didn't stop people from going to the Butler or Clermont county fairs, which both opened Sunday. Neither fair reported incidents of a nimals or patrons getting sick because of the weather.

        Forecasters predict similar weather today , reaching 94 degrees with high humidity. A cold front from Michigan may bring scattered rain to the area and cool temperatures early in the week.

        For some, the relief cannot come soon enough. Tammy Swisher of Leesburg drove an hour and a half to Anderson Township to beat the heat with her two daughters and nephew at the Coney Island pool.

        “It's very hot,” said her 8-year-old daughter, Kendyl. “I just want to swim in the pool.”

        The Cincinnati Health Department was keeping an eye on the soaring temperatures, but Health Commissioner Malcolm Adcock did not issue a heat alert. He said he evaluates weather conditions “over a number of days back to back, not just a single day or two” before issuing a warning.

        When hot weather hits, people should drink plenty of liquids without alcohol or caffeine. Children and pets should not be left alone in cars, because cars can “become death traps very rapidly,” he said.

        People also are encouraged to stay in the air conditioning to avoid getting weather-related illnesses, including sunstroke, heat cramps or heat exhaustion.

        “It's a good idea to take it easy and don't overexert yourself,” Dr. Adcock said. “But I don't think people should necessarily change their plans. Yes, it's hot, but we believe that, for most people who take precautions, it doesn't have to be a dangerously hot situation.”

        Five-day forecast and other weather news

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