More to the Story with Staley: Summer Heat

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — It’s the first day of summer, and that means a lot of things. One of those things is heat, especially here in our area.

“Beating the heat” is always a challenge. But technology is helping the cause.

It gets mighty hot here in our neck of the woods. At times, dangerously hot.

Consider this: heat stroke is one of the leading causes of death for athletes, for soldiers and for laborers.

Experts say they believe our weather will only get hotter and steamier.

“The heat is ever present. And yes, it will only get worse. It will get hotter. That’s what we’re trying to educate people about,” Dr. Douglas Casa, CEO of Korey Stringer Institute said.

But Doctor Casa says we’ve made tremendous progress in dealing with the heat. We’re more knowledgeable now. And technology helps.

For example, cooling technology has come a long way, to help not only athletes, but physical laborers, such as those who have to directly work in the heat.

Chris Valletta is a former NFL player. “Science proves that if you can stay cooler during athletics, you can improve your performance. And not only stay cooler, but you can improve your safety,” he said.

But even with all of that, heat is still the number-one weather-related threat to your health. More than hurricanes and tornadoes combined.

The tips you’ve always heard remain the same.

“There are five tips. Number one: drink your cold fluids. Number two: be careful with your exertion. Number three: get fit before you decide to get in the heat. Number four: make sure your work-to-rest ratio is appropriate. And number five: always have your cooling strategies in place,” Casa said.

All of those tips are important. Experts predict above average summer temperatures for those of us who live here in the South.