ORLANDO, Fla. — This time of year, few are bragging about the Florida sunshine.

For those that work outside in Florida, staying cool and safe is a challenge, especially when temperatures are pushing 100 degrees.

People across the central Florida are dealing with extreme heat (a heat advisory was issued Friday) as we head into the weekend, which includes the “feels like” temperatures nearing 110 degrees in parts of the state.

Staying hydrated and staying out of the sun are two ways to avoid heat-related illnesses, according to anyone who works outside.

For seven years, Cody Bledsoe has worked as an HVAC technician around Florida, repairing broken air conditioners.

“This time of year, insufficient cooling or no cooling is going to be quite common,” Bledsoe said.

Keeping homeowners cool is half the battle, Bledsoe said.

The technician said he must make sure he does not overheat working outside.

So, of course, he drinks plenty of water and finds himself changing his shirt often.  

He jokes it’s good for weight loss.

“I had an old belt I put about 13 different notches in it, add to them," Bledsoe said. "Just losing weight left and right. I think I’m down 12 or 13 pounds so far."

Business owner Anton Martin does his best to help keep his employees like Bledsoe cool. Many of them work 12 hours a day in the heat.

“Sometimes it’s not so much the heat, sometimes it’s just the ultraviolet rays beating on our head. You cover your head, you hydrate, you would be surprised the difference it makes,” said Martin, owner of English Air, Inc.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2,302 people died in the United States from heat-related illnesses last year. 

Five states, including Florida, accounted for 61% of those deaths. The CDC also reports that heat is the deadliest weather-related cause of death in the United States, more than tornadoes, hurricanes or cold weather.

Independent water meter contractor Jeffrey Garcia, who works around Orlando, has his own way to stay cool.

“Every time I feel it’s too hot, I hop in the truck, turn the AC on for a bit, cool down, and go back to the action,” Garcia said.

Garcia said he’s thankful he has a truck with air conditioning.