Area high school football teams take precautions in extreme heat
PIKE ROAD, Ala. (WAKA) – As temperatures hit triple digits, health officials with the Alabama Department of Public Health are warning people to take precautions during the extreme heat.
Students in the River Region headed back to school within the past week and will soon be hitting the gridiron for high school football.
Action 8 News stopped by Pike Road High School’s football practice to see how they are making sure players and staff members are safe when outside.
The extreme heat is too risky for the players, so school officials say they are practicing in the morning to keep the players out of the heat of the day.
Several things are in place for safety precautions such as misting fans, tents, a cold tub that is already prepped with ice, and water stations.
“You can ask any athletic trainer in the state or the country,” said Head Athletic Trainer Tyler Killingsworth. “This is one of the most preventable things that you can encounter. In the event something happens. we have cold water emergence, we have cold towels, we’ve recorded in practice the emergency action plan, so we are prepared if something were to happen.”
“We have several measures in place,” said Head Coach Granger Shook. “Being proactive as a staff, we’ve already practiced our emergency action plan. We’ve practiced it in the summer and in the fall, we’ve filmed it our coaches, have designated rules and assignments, our coaches practice it. We’ve met on it and we’ve reviewed it, and you know we have to make sure we put our players in a safe environment.”
