JACKSON, Miss. — With extreme heat in Mississippi this week and the new school year approaching, the Mississippi State Department of Health is urging schools, students and parents to take precautions against preventable head injuries and heat-related illnesses during sports activities. “We encourage schools to require pre-activity physicals to identify any pre-existing conditions, such as heart issues, that need to be addressed before participation,” said Dr. Dan Edney, MSDH executive director and state health officer. Edney also recommended the use of padded helmet headgear to reduce the risk of severe head injuries and stressed continued adherence to concussion protocols. MSDH advises staff at practices and games to monitor for signs of heat-related illness and ensure athletes have access to fluids, cooling stations and temperature checks, adding that having clear procedures to respond to heat-related emergencies is essential to keeping students safe.

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