The New Orleans Saints kicked off the 2008 training camp last week, college football players report for camp soon and high school football is just about set to get under way.

And one thing is for sure: It’s hot out there.

We know all too well days what can happen in the heat of summer. Heat stroke has killed professional and college athletes in recent years, and that has put the danger of overheating at the forefront of our consciences. Or that’s where it better be, anyway.

As our young people begin spending hours in the heat preparing for the coming season, we urge local coaches, band directors and school officials to keep an extra close eye on what is going on. We also urge students to be aware of what could happen to them if they overheat in this, the dead of summer.

Note these symptoms for heat stroke: red, hot, dry skin, changes in consciousness and rapid, shallow breathing. Victims need emergency help as soon as possible, and their bodies should be quickly cooled inside a tub of cool water without ice or wrapped in wet sheets.

Even if you don’t suffer a heat stroke, heat exhaustion is an easy thing to come by out there these days. Heat exhaustion occurs when someone exercises too much, perspires too heavily or spends a lot of time in very humid areas. Symptoms include cool, moist, pale or flushed skin, headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness and exhaustion.

Heat cramps are also trouble. And these are the first signals the body is having trouble with the heat. So if you cramp up, kids, drink a half glass of water every 15 minutes, rest in a cool location and lightly stretch the affected muscles.

Take care, and let’s have a great 2008 season.