Valley pavements turning into 'streets of fire'

PHOENIX - The hot desert sun requires people in the valley to be extra careful in the summertime. From applying sunscreen to keeping hydrated, there are a few basic things everyone can do to stay safe.

But what about the shoes you wear? At 115 degrees outside, asphalt pavement can be up to 40 or 50 degrees warmer than that. All it takes at that temperature is three to seven seconds of contact with bare skin to cause serious burns.

The Arizona Burn Center wants parents to be especially careful with their young children. Doctors say if kids get outside at this time of year without shoes on, irreparable skin damage can be done.

"The tragedy is children will feel their feet burning and then they will fall to their hands and knees and then their hands and knees will start burning as well," says Doctor Marc Matthews, a burn surgeon at the Maricopa Medical Center.

Every summer, the Arizona Burn Center sees around 20 kids with second or third degree burns from hot asphalt exposure. Diabetics and the elderly are also at risk for asphalt burns.

Many diabetics have poor sensation in their feet and may not realize that they are getting burned. As for the elderly, their skin is much thinner than most peoples' skin and that makes them especially sensitive.

So lather on the sunscreen, drink down that water, and make sure you have some shoes on those feet of yours and the ones you love.