To beat the record heat in NYC, Lady Liberty strips down to string bikini (Humor)

In an unprecedented sighting, a group of tourists traumatized by what they just witnessed and barely able to verbalize it still managed to stammer out the following information to reporters. They said that Lady Liberty dropped her torch, stripped down to a string bikini and dove off her centuries-long high perch into the cooling waters of the river below.

This has never happened before, and New York City residents are in awe. The Statue of Liberty, a symbol of freedom and unity, is one of the main attractions in New York's harbor, standing majestic and proud. Boats in the area are asked to be on the lookout for the green lady to avoid any accidents. Mayor Michael Bloomberg has called in The National Guard to help keep order as residents gather in droves to see this once in a lifetime miracle.

For the other residents trying to avoid the suffocating heat in the city this Saturday, read below for some helpful tips on staying cool. All beaches and 70 city pools are open, and the Parks and Recreation department has just opened a new pool at the Brooklyn Bridge, one more place to go for a much needed dip.

As the intense heatwave continues to scorch the East, temperatures have risen to 100 in the shade, hotter elswhere.

Cooling centers are open throughout NYC to help keep residents comfortable and will stay open throughout the day.

The elderly and young children are especially vulnerable in this weather and tips to beat the summer heat are available. Be a good Samaritan and check on your elderly or sick neighbors and don't hesitate to call 911 if there is any sign of heat-related illness.

Here are some 'dip and sip' tips to stay cool:

Tips include drinking lots of fluids to keep hydrated; staying indoors; cooling off in the City's many pools or park sprinklers and there are the beaches, which are patrolled by lifeguards until 6 p.m. every day.

I know the first instinct in a heatwave is to put on the air conditioners or fans to cool down, but try to conserve as much energy as possible. It is times like these that the power can get disrupted by the sharp rise in electricity use.

To add to the "heated" situation, more than 8,000 Con Ed workers are currently locked out as negotiations broke down over new union contracts. The company has managers doing the job of the workers on the picket line but they are not trained as thoroughly as the skilled employees. Two already have been hurt.

So turn off fans or ACs in rooms you are not using. Same with lights, lamps and other electrical appliances. Use washing machines and dishwashers late at night, when city officials say energy demands are the lowest.

Another useful tip if you do not relish coming home from work to a sweltering house: Set air conditioner(s) on timers so they can switch on about 30 minutes before you get home instead of leaving them on all day when you're not at home.

Is it hot where you are, and if so, how do you combat the scorching heat to keep cool?