Battling the intense heat while at work, at play

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) -- Whether you are at work, at football practice, or just taking a stroll around the city, you were feeling the heat Tuesday all around the Philadelphia area.

High schools are taking extra precautions to keep kids safe while they practice sports during the heat wave.

Action News was at Norristown High School, where coaches are following strict guidelines because of the heat.

A flag near the football field was green and yellow Tuesday morning.

If it turns to red or black that means dangerous conditions are present, and the staff will change how practice is conducted.

"We keep them in the shade as much as we can," said Norristown Eagles Head Coach Jason Powel. "Early morning practices consist of full pads. As it gets later we'll go to uppers, and they can wear shorts."

And the team's trainer uses a tool called a wet bulb temperature index. The Marines use them, too.

"What it tells us is how your body can cool itself in this environment," said Certified Athletic Trainer Dennis Flynn. "You can't cool yourself... at that point, coaches know how hard they can push their athletes, whether they need restrictions as far as their clothing."

Flynn uses the flag colors to alert staff and players to heat danger. PIAA rules dictate how long and often student athletes can practice.

Hydration is key. It's recommended athletes drink a gallon of water a day.

Misters and water stations are also a must.

Field hockey seniors told us the sweaty days are also a sign of hard work.

"This is the hottest it's been," said Adilenis Zequviva. "It's our last year, gotta push through it."

School officials also told us that under PIAA rules, the football team has to have a week for heat acclimation where they don't wear pads for drills.

Norristown did that last week, and so the pads were on this week.

Many are feeling hot, hot, hot.

At the Center City Soft Pretzel Company, the day of baking pretzels ended around noon, but the temperature in the place still approached 100 degrees and things were cooling down by then.

"With the oven off right now we're at 104, but generally we work in approximately 118 degree temperature. Yeah, it's hot," manager John Bialoszewski said.

"There's nothing you can do. You just continue to breathe. That's all you can do. You drink a lot of water, a lot of Gatorade. If you're not here, you're not putting out the best pretzel in the city," employee Erika Bennett said.

There were some ways to distract yourself from the heat down the shore.

Over in Atlantic City, thunderbirds and pilots practicing for the upcoming air show were a nice distraction from the heat.

In Ocean City, there was no air show to distract, but a sidewalk concert to keep minds off the sweltering conditions.

Of course, there's no better way to beat the heat than the old fashioned way - jumping in the ocean.

Pam Blizzard of Sewell, last name spelled like the snowstorm, thinks with this heat that's exactly what we need!