WASHINGTON D.C. (WUSA) -- If you thought the summer was winding down, one step outside Tuesday convinced you otherwise; Things were just heating up on the last day of August.

"It's so hot and we're walking up hill," said Heather Hrynkow who was on vacation from Ohio with her 4 young boys, "so we're just keeping hydrated and trying to walk in the shade."

The code red air quality day meant the air pollution level was so high, that technically everyone could suffer health effects, especially young children. But keeping kids cooped up indoors can be difficult. DC Public School principals could decide for themselves if recess was held outdoors. At Hyde-Addison Elementary School in Georgetown, the playground was full with children around noon. However, the principal said students will have P.E. class will be inside as the mercury rises.