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Surface temperatures surpass burn level in Atlanta

On Thursday 11Alive clocked more than a dozen high-touch surfaces that surpassed the burn level threshold of 110 degrees Fahrenheit, all before it hit 1 p.m.

ATLANTA — People can try to beat the heat -- but they won't fully escape it in Atlanta.

Many families playing at the Old Fourth Ward splash pad Thursday afternoon weren't there long as the state was under an ongoing heat advisory

“With the way the rays are coming out now it’s a little scary and dangerous," said Trophina Jordan, who was there with her 2-year-old daughter.

But the biggest risk isn’t necessarily the sun itself.

11Alive reporter Savannah Levins used an infrared thermometer to determine the temperature of a variety of high-touch surfaces.

Medical research advises anything over 110 degrees Fahrenheit will burn one's feet. Within 45 seconds, a person could suffer second or third-degree burns.

Inside the splash pad Thursday afternoon, the ground was 79 degrees. But step outside the water, and the sun-soaked pavement shot up to 162 degrees.

That was all some parents needed to hear.

“I didn’t know the ground was that hot so we may be getting out of here in a few seconds," said Monique Jackson, a daycare teacher. “A lot of our kids have the swim shoes unfortunately some don’t have them.”

Fields normally packed with sports practices and pickup games were mostly empty Thursday afternoon as well. 

A turf field near Georgia Tech clocked in at over 170 degrees. A regular grass field in Piedmont Park registered at just over 90 degrees.

On the Old Fourth Ward playground, the surface of the swings and slide was over 120 degrees. Parts of the beltline ranged from 80 degrees in the shade, to 155 degrees in the sun.

Anything above 130 degrees and pets' paw pads can suffer a burn injury, veterinarians say.

Though the ground was scorching in Atlanta, it's important to remember it's not only one's feet that could be burned but also hands.

The handles of an E-scooter sitting in Piedmont Park clocked in at 117 degrees. Several car door handles registered at over 120 degrees.

11Alive checked more than a dozen high-touch surfaces that surpassed that burn level threshold of 110 degrees, all before it hit 1 p.m.

“At high peak, it’s definitely going to be hotter than that," Jordan said.

The heat won't be going away in Atlanta anytime soon. Experts said to avoid any heat-related injuries, try to avoid these hot temperatures by staying indoors, be cognizant of rising surface temperatures and stay hydrated. 

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