Baltimore

Softball Teams Beat the Heat at Plano Tournament

Temperatures are expected to surpass 105 degrees

Many of us can stay cool in the air conditioning during the day, but some people can't avoid being out in the heat.

Plano EMS crews responded to seven heat-related calls on Tuesday, including one for heat stroke.

Their jobs require them to brave the heat, but hundreds stayed in the sun all day Tuesday by choice.

More than 70 softball teams from across the country are in town for a week-long tournament in Plano.

With temperatures hovering around the hundred degree mark, the biggest battle may be the heat.

"It was definitely eye-opening when we stepped off the plane 'cause it was what, eight in the morning and it was already 92 degrees out," said Jessica Wenger, a mother from Baltimore where the high temperature Tuesday was 88 degrees.

At the tournament, sunblock, shaved ice and shade were key components for beating the heat. 

Crews with the city of Plano supplied five-gallon water jugs to each dugout and a team from Children's Medical Center was on hand to handle any injuries, heat-related or not.

Softball's a great sport to umpire and we're willing to go wherever, no matter what the conditions are," said umpire Brett Distel who drove from South Dakota.

The tournament lasts all week and ends with a championship game on Saturday.

Heat Advisory Precautions
 
With such oppressive heat in the forecast, North Texans are reminded to check on their friends and loved ones with health problems as they may be among the most susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
 
As always, never leave young children or pets unattended in an enclosed vehicle, even for a short amount of time, as temperatures can quickly rise to threatening levels.
 
Pets should not be left unattended outdoors for more than a few minutes.
 
Water is the cornerstone to staying safe this week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Officials said it's important to start drinking before becoming thirsty and if you know you're going to be out in the heat, begin drinking water the night before.
 
Officials recommend staying indoors, but anyone who must be outside should drink a cup of water about every 20 minutes and wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.
 
Symptoms of Heat Stroke: CDC
 
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the symptoms of heat stroke include hot, dry skin or profuse sweating; hallucinations, chills, throbbing headache, high body temperature, confusion/dizziness and slurred speech.
 
Take the following steps to treat a worker with heat stroke: Call 911 and notify their supervisor. Move the sick worker to a cool shaded area. Cool the worker using methods such as: Soaking their clothes with water. Spraying, sponging, or showering them with water. Fanning their body.

 
Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion: CDC
 
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the symptoms of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, extreme weakness or fatigue, dizziness and confusion, nausea, clammy or moist skin, pale or flushed complexion, muscle cramps, slightly elevated body temperature and fast or shallow breathing.
 
Treat a worker suffering from heat exhaustion with the following: Have them rest in a cool, shaded or air-conditioned area. Have them drink plenty of water or other cool, nonalcoholic beverages. Have them take a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath.
 
 
Dos and Don'ts in Extreme Heat
 

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