Sweltering temperatures have made it tough to be outside, but Onondaga County is doing their best to ease the pain. They've extended hours at both Jamesville Beach and Oneida Shores. The parks will be open until 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. Kat De Maria has more.

  To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

ONONDAGA COUNTY, N.Y. -- The official first day of summer brought with it the hottest temperatures we've seen all year.

The thermostat topped out at 94 degrees in some places. That combined with oppressive humidity was reason enough for families to head to the beach.

Onondaga County has actually extended hours at both Jamesville Beach and Oneida Shores. Both will be open until 8 p.m. while the heat lasts. But even if you're out in the water, you have to be careful.

Doctors say with this kind of weather, it doesn't take much to become sick. The first thing that happens to people in high heat is heat cramps, then heat exhaustion. Without treatment, that could turn into a heat stroke and possibly organ damage.

What many people don't realize, though, is extreme heat at the beginning of the summer is the most dangerous.

"There's more of a problem now in June when we get this then there is in the end of July because we've sort of gotten used to it and the body gears up in response to the heat and can sweat more and cool ourselves down more," said Community General Director of Emergency Medicine James Ciaccio.

Doctors say to combat the heat, you should drink lots of water and avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol or lots of sugar.