Temperatures quickly climbed into the mid-90s Friday, and with the humidity, it can be a deadly combination, especially for those who are forced to work outside.
No matter, what the weather is like or time of day, Peter Brown and his crews at A Different Image Landscaping are working.
"Pressure wash, landscaping, re-sod, re-mulch, flower beds, you name it, on the outside we do it,” said Brown.
The First Alert Weather Center said Friday’s heat index made it feel like temperatures across our area range between 105-110 degrees. Brown said he knows working outside in those conditions can be dangerous.
“We know it’s something we have to do. We have a passion to do it and we just come out and do it, but we take the necessary steps,” said Brown.
It’s a rule that applies for Jacksonville Beach lifeguards as well. They also keep water beside them when working under Mother Nature’s sun.
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“One of the main things is that we watch each other and make sure that our buddies got water. We make sure the trucks have cold water,” said Captain Rob Emahiser with Jax Beach Ocean Rescue.
Emahiser said besides drinking water, the lifeguards take extra safety measures.
"We rotate them out, we don’t have the guards sit out there all day long out there,” said Emahiser.
“We recommend people wear light color clothing, loose fitted clothing, so their body can keep cool by sweating,” said Dr. Melissa Parsons with UF Health.
Parsons said light clothing, plus drinking lots of water, can save you when you're forced to work outdoors,
“Especially people who have to be outside or working outside, staying hydrated is really the most important thing,” said Parsons.
Parsons said it’s common sense, but that doesn’t always keep people from falling victim to heat exhaustion.
“Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, sometimes headaches. Generally, not feeling very well, said Parsons.
Cox Media Group
