East County residents get creative to stay cool during heat wave

SAN DIEGO (FOX5/KUSI) -- Workers in the East County are enduring hotter-than-usual days in different ways after a Heat Advisory took effect Thursday morning.

The hotter temperatures mean busier days for some workers, but for others, it means taking more frequent breaks.

“The asphalt becomes really hot," said Juan Reyna, a project manager of a crew that was laying fresh asphalt.

He said safety is the top priority and his team takes precautions when working in the heat.

He has his team taking 15 to 20-minute breaks every 2 hours.

“This behind me is called a paver, and there’s a cooler. You can’t see it, but it’s right on the floor over there—on the tail floor of it. There’s a cooler there with a lot of drinks in it," said Reyna.

Across the street from the work zone, another group of workers at The Yogurt Mill was serving up sweet treats to help people beat the heat.

“The heat brings more people here, so it's going to be a busy time," said Jake Davila, an employee.

Davila has worked at the shop and said it prepares for the hotter days by scheduling more staff to get through the long lines.

He explained that during hotter days, sales typically increase.

“We’ll be around $6,000 or $7,000 more, sometimes some days," said Davila.

The heat is forecast to let up by early next week.

Just like the workers laying asphalt, the National Weather Service advises people who work outside to take more frequent breaks and stay in the shade.