Keeping Cool in Malverne-West Hempstead

Temperatures are expected to reach the low 90s Wednesday afternoon and the National Weather Service has even issued an air quality alert.

In Malverne and West Hempstead, there are plenty of ways to beat to heat.

Escape to the ocean: While Point Lookout,  and Long Beach beaches are nearby, there are on Long Island if you want to remain in your air conditioned vehicle for a longer drive.

Play in a pool: 's indoor pools are open year-round, but on Saturday the Town of Hempstead park located in West Hempstead also opened its outdoor pools for the season, giving you more options to cool off.

Strike the heat: Get out of the sun and into in Malverne, which is now open early on weekdays (11 a.m. Monday-Friday). Kids age 15 and under can also receive two free games of bowling every day throughout the summer by signing up here. 

Catch a flick: See a movie at Malverne Cinema 4 to be entertained while enjoying the theater's air conditioning. Here's a list of showtimes.

Eat something cool: , ,  and  all offer cold, sweet treats.

Catch up on some reading: The  Lakeview and Public Libraries each offer a cool setting for some reading fun and other activities.

Additionally, LIPA offered the following tips to stay cool, conserve energy and save money:

• Install a programmable thermostat and raise the setting to the highest comfortable temperature. You can save 3 percent on your air conditioning costs for each degree you raise the thermostat.
• Close doors leading to uncooled parts of your home. If you have central air conditioning, close off vents to unused rooms. Keep filters clean.
• Even if you have air conditioning, use ceiling and other fans to provide additional cooling and better circulation.
• Seal holes and cracks around doors and windows. Eliminate air leaks around window air conditioners with foam insulation or weather-stripping.
• Close blinds, shades and draperies facing the sun to keep out the sun's heat and help fans and air conditioners cool more efficiently.
• Turn off power sources. TVs, computers and other electronic devices draw power when they are in standby mode or turned off but still plugged in. Plug electronics into power strips and turn off the power switch when the items are not in use.
• Use timers and motion detectors on indoor and outdoor lighting.
• Replace old appliances with new energy efficient ENERGY STAR® appliances.
• If possible, install whole-house fans that bring in cooler night-time air that can pre-cool a house and reduce energy use in the daytime if heat is kept out by closing windows and shades.

For more information on how to save energy and money visit http://www.lipower.org/residential/efficiency/