VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) – Businesses with employees who work outside every day are struggling to cope with the extremely high temperatures in South Georgia.
Best Choice Roofing Company serves a very wide area from the state of Alabama-Georgia to the Atlantic Ocean. General Manager Matt Comparato says they’re coping with the job and the heat as best they can.
“It was a challenge,” said Comparato. “Of course we go out in the morning when it’s still cool. We try not to be outside in the middle of the day, so between 2:30pm and 3:00pm we chill in some sort of air conditioning and recover from the day. And then we go out again in the early evening. Just staying cool is the biggest thing and the message we give to our guys.”
With Heat Index readings above 100 degrees, Best Choice Roofing is providing employees with the necessary tools to keep them hydrated during this heat alert.
“We definitely make sure to increase our water intake,” Comparato said. “We make sure our installation crews and our vendors who are walking around out there have cooling towels. We take breaks in the middle of the day, add a few people and do the work.”
At South Georgia Medical Center (SGMC), several patients were brought to the emergency room for heat exhaustion and heat stroke. They want to remind people to make sure they take the necessary precautions.
“You want to try and stay out of the midday sun. When the sun is highest it will be hottest and if you must be outside wear protective clothing,” said Grant Barker, SGMC emergency medical technician. “Especially this summer. It was one of the hottest in recent years. A lot of people used to work outside and didn’t drink enough. People are not aware of how much water their bodies are losing.”
According to the SGMC, if you feel you are suffering from heat exhaustion, it is best to go to an emergency room. However, if you think you might be suffering from heat stroke, you should go to the emergency room immediately.
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