Heat and gas safety tips

BEAUFORT COUNTY, SC. (WTOC) - If you’ve been outside this week you know our area just experienced two of the hottest days of the year.

We’re also gearing up for more hot days ahead.

SEE: First Alert Weather

WTOC has what fire officials are asking you to watch out for before you head out the door.

Whether it be a trip to the beach or a walk down a picturesque city street, one common theme is present in both outings- the heat.

The Coastal Empire and Lowcountry are prepping for another hot one this weekend.

“Emergency calls directly heat-related are pretty routine this time of the year.”

Dan Byrne with the Burton Fire District said the best and easiest thing to do is to make sure you are drinking plenty of water and enjoy the outdoors when temperatures are at their lowest, but in some cases, you also need to do some research before stepping foot in the heat.

“Your medical conditions and or the medications that you’re on can impact your body’s ability to withstand the heat. Research how the heat will impact, what special precautions you should have, as well as whatever medications that you’re taking and how that will impact your ability to stay safe in this summer heat,” said Byrne.

The summer months, also create the perfect time to hop on a boat and spend the day at sea.

Byrne asks that before boaters go out, to make sure they pack an extra change of clothes in case they get caught in the rain.

“Make sure we don’t get in the opposite direction and become hypothermic because you don’t have any warm clothing.”

Summer also creates the best time for many to get outside to do yard work or finish up projects on a construction site.

Byrne says with that, they are seeing an uptick in people striking gas lines.

“They start digging underground for whatever reason and they are striking those gas lines.”

Before you try and dig into the ground, officials ask that you follow the law and call your local gas company or call 811 before digging at least three full business days before work.

This gives crews time to properly mark gas lines to hopefully prevent injuries, service outages and traffic disruptions.