Temperatures soared past 90 degrees Tuesday – leaving Long Island's
outdoor workers sweltering in the summer heat.
Workers who spoke with News 12 said they were trying to pace
themselves.
“When it's hot, it's terrible…I try to do the best I can,”
said Alex Mejia, a worker for Dom’s Landscaping in Floral Park.
Mejia and his co-workers were taking frequent breaks and
drinking plenty of water during the day.
Mike Serpico, of Mike's Auto Repair in Hicksville, had a
similar approach.
"We keep the fans on. We open all the doors and drink a lot of
water," he said.
Dr. Barry Rosenthal, the chair of emergency medicine at NYU Langone Hospital -- Long Island, says it’s important to know the signs of heat stroke. They include
feeling nauseous, a very high body temperature and no sweating.
If you have those symptoms, “You need to get to an
emergency department,” he said. “Otherwise, you can probably avoid that by
getting out of the heat, getting into a cool environment, drinking a lot of
fluids and just taking it easy.”
Officials
on Long Island are extending hours at town pools
and beaches this week due to the potential heat wave.