JACKSON, Miss. – With extreme heat in the state this week and the new school year about to begin, the Mississippi State Department of Health urges schools, students and parents to be mindful of 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. “To further protect students, we recommend the use of padded helmet headgear to reduce the risk of severe head injuries and continued adherence to concussion protocols.”
MSDH also asks that staff at all practices and games monitor for signs of heat-related illness, ensuring fluids, cooling stations, and temperature checks are available. Having protocols in place to manage heat-related emergencies is crucial…