CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Corpus Christi Independent School District leaders are keeping an eye on this week's extreme temperatures, especially for younger students who use playground equipment which can quickly rise in temperature.
"If it's too hot then we just don't go out because it's not safe," Metro Elementary P.E. instructor Chuck Drillen said.
He said determining when conditions are 'safe' go beyond looking at heat index values.
"The district uses a standard app, WBGT, the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, so that we know if it's safe to be outside in the heat in the direct sunlight," Drillen said.
Parents like Yvette Segovia are more concerned with the physical interactions that students are coming into contact with on dangerously hot days.
"Being informed about the temperatures on the playground," Segovia said. "Because that's a big concern also is how hot is the slide, how hot is the swing that they're playing on."
On Tuesday alone playground equipment temperatures ranged anywhere from 113 degrees to topping out at 154 degrees!
For younger students, it's up to faculty, teachers and even guardians to speak up if any signs of heat illnesses appear.
"Children may be less aware of the symptoms, maybe a little more distractible and maybe just play a little bit harder outside than adults do, so that can effect how much they're able to tolerate the heat," Amistad Health CEO and Pediatrician Eric Baggerman said.
If you have little ones Baggerman said becoming more acclimated to the heat can significantly reduce your health decline in the heat for you and your children.
As parents prepare to send the kids back to school in this sweltering heat, Segovia shares a few tips to help.
"I always try to have a hat on when we're outdoors, reminding her to take sips of water," she said. "Sunscreen is a big thing that we do."