Selma landscapers beat the heat with water and frequent breaks

From the West Alabama Newsroom–

The state of Alabama is caught in the grip of a dangerous heatwave.

Many people are staying inside under the air conditioning to stay safe, but some people make their living working outdoors.

The Dog Days of Summer have really kicked into high gear lately — with recent temperatures climbing into the upper 90s — and triple digit heat indices.

LeMarkus Snow and his lawn service crew — spends 13-hours a day working outside — under the heat dome.

“If they say it’s been 109, it’s actually been that,” said Snow.

“Cause we can be out working like for probably 5 seconds and we soaking wet, mouth dry. I mean, everything that show it’s over a hundred degrees in Selma.”

Snow says anyone who has to be outside in the heat — needs to stay hydrated for their safety.

“If you out here in this sun, you got to have this water in your body over you’re going to have a heat stroke. You need to stay hydrated with water all day, Snow said.

“I tell my workers when they get hot or it get too hot, just find some shade, just take a break. Take a 15 or 20 minute break before you go back to work. If you feel funny, just sit down. We’re not trying to be no hero out here in this heat, but we are trying to keep the job looking good.”

EMA officials say people should be sure and check up on the elderly — the sick — and anyone without air conditioning during this extreme heat.