Heat Brings Concerns and Warnings - KTUL.com - Tulsa, Oklahoma - News, Weather & Sports

Heat Brings Concerns and Warnings

Summer is here now. EMSA says it has only issued one heat alert day. But they have had several close calls, with people suffering from heat exposure.

Channel 8's Kim Jackson explains what you should know, before you battle the sun.

You might think playing in the sprinklers or wearing no sleeves sound like ways to keep cool. But the experts say you need longer sleeves and lighter colors to protect your skin from the sun.

The truth is we love to hate the heat.  And we are constantly trying to beat it.

"Don't push yourself to that edge to the limit. You can't get to the limit," advised athlete, Rashad Rushing. He is an amateur football player who knows what it is to train in heat.

We caught up with one mom, running with her son in his stroller. " We stay in the shade. I have water for him and we come out here and play."

They're used to the sun and the heat so  they're bodies can take it. But it's the weekend warriors who end up calling 9-1-1.

"People tend to overdue because they've only got a certain amount of time during the day. Saturdays are a big day for us, they see a lot of folks mowing weedeating, pressure washing and washing their cars," said Chris Stevens, of EMSA.

Don't start off with a big meal, if you're working in the heat.

"Don't each large heavy meals that cause all the blood to rush into your stomach try to digest food and make your body tired," he said.

Also, use sunscreen because sunburned skin makes it hard to cool off. And remember it doesn't have to be extremely hot for you to overheat.

The experts say you can have water with you, but start drinking a few hours before you head out.