SALT LAKE CITY -- Scorching hot temperatures are plaguing parts of Utah this week and people working outside are looking for ways to beat the heat.
"We start over there about 6 a.m. and try to be done by 2:30, 3 o'clock, when it gets real hot," said Travis Vemman, a gardener the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City.
Workers stay cool by drinking a lot of water, wearing hats and wearing clothing lighter than their typical uniforms, but emergency room doctors say not everyone is working to combat the heat. They say there has been an increase in cases of dehydration and heat exhaustion over the last couple days as people try to push through the heat.
"It's not really so much an absolute temperature it has to do more with what the person is doing. The biggest thing I see is with people who are mowing their lawn, working in their yard, those sort of things. When they do those things and ignore their symptoms things progress fairly quickly and can become a problem," said Dr. Troy Madsen.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include muscle cramps, nausea, confusion and dizziness. When that happens, it's important to go inside, rest and rehydrate.
"I've been hiding in the shade so I kind of cheat. Momma didn't raise no fool," said Sean Dugger, a construction worker.
Temperatures in Utah are expected to reach 103 degrees over the next few days.
