Yes, it’s hot. But it’s August in Mississippi so that’s to be expected.

The National Weather Service says dangerous heat will continue through 7 p.m. Saturday. Heat index values are expected to peak between 105-110 degrees. Those temperatures could lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke, especially for those working outdoors.

Not mentioned in the heat advisory is the danger that students can face when it gets this hot. With school back in session (or will be soon), there is the potential for students to get too hot during normal outdoor school activities. Band practices, recess or simply riding home on an un-air-conditioned bus can be dangerous.

And now that high school football practice has officially started, athletes, coaches and athletic trainers must take extra precautions.

Frequent and mandatory water breaks, misters and fans can help players deal with the sweltering heat. The Mississippi High School Activities Association also requires teams to have a cool tub available in case athletes have a heat stroke and need rapid body cooling, according to the Daily Journal newspaper.

The MHSAA also recommends specific methods to help keep athletes safe during the heat of August. The organization has published seven recommendations, and among them is only practicing once per day during the first five days of allowed practices, and after that double-practice days should be followed by single-practice days. Also, athletes should not participate in more than five hours of practice per day, and that includes warm-ups, stretching and weight-room activities. The organization also recommends that an athletic trainer be on site before, during and after all practices.

These guidelines are meant to keep student-athletes safe and all schools should follow them.

Anyone working or playing outside must be careful when it gets this hot.