Staying safe during recess in extreme heat

KANAWHA COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - For young children in school, putting the pencils and paper down for a while can be just as important as instructional time

Ruffner Elementary School Principal Henry Nearman said, “To get the kids moving around because that’s very important.”

Even with the heat advisory in place, schools are finding ways for students to be able to get out and play at recess.

“Limiting the amount of time the students are out here, making sure if they need any kind of drinks that they have full access to it, and just being smart. If the teachers feel like it’s too hot or the students are getting too tired we let them go in,” Nearman said.

He said their playground equipment is made mostly of plastic, so it doesn’t get too hot to the touch, and the metal parts of the playground are painted to keep them from getting too hot.

Nearman, who went and touched the equipment himself before the students ran outside to play, said, “I went out and grabbed ahold of it and it’s not warm at all, it’s very safe.”