The Norman Transcript

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July 2, 2009

Whether working or playing, it pays to be careful in the heat

By Eric Dama

With temperatures reaching triple digits last week, and an upcoming Fourth of July Weekend expected to hover around the high 90s, people all across Norman are doing their best to keep cool.

Whether you're working in the heat or playing outside, local doctors are urging the public to make sure people are taking care of themselves during the day.

"If you don't pay attention to your body's reaction to heat, a heat-related injury can happen quickly and lead to serious medical problems," said Emergency Department physician Dr. Robbie Frantz.

It's one thing for people who can choose when they soak in the sun, like kids playing in the yard or those at the pool working on their tan.

But for those like Matt Davenport, who does land development for an Oklahoma City-based home-building company, the sun is something he can't avoid.

"It sucks, to put it bluntly," Davenport said. "We take hourly water breaks, and I make sure that I wear a hat. But we really have no choice; it's tough. I probably drink multiple gallons of water a day."

The same goes for Jacob Coburn, who is working on several construction projects around the University of Oklahoma dormitories.

Coburn said nothing really changes when the weather gets this hot -- except the temperatures they have to work under.

"We still have to work, no matter how hot it is. There's nothing you can really do about the heat," Coburn said. "I just try to drink a lot of water, and each time I take a drink I pour some in my hat and on my head."

Water isn't exactly in short supply over at the Murray Case Sells Swim Complex, better known as the OU pool.

Stephanie Putman, the aquatics coordinator at the complex, said those working at the pool also have had to adapt to the recent heat wave.

"We have added additional longer breaks for the lifeguards when it gets really hot, and we encourage the lifeguards to get in the water during their breaks," Putman said. "We also deliver water to their stands to help keep them hydrated; umbrellas are used at each stand to help with the sun and heat."

Last week 10 people were treated in the Norman Regional Emergency Room for heat stroke, heat exhaustion and dehydration, said Kelly Wells, media relations coordinator for Norman Regional Hospital.

If you begin to experience symptoms of a heat-related illness like a rapid pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, temperature or you stop sweating, you should seek medical treatment, said Dr. Frantz.

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