Contact:  Robert Chartuk            FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                    8/7/97

In a normal year, heat related deaths claim about 175 Americans. Given this figure, the National Weather Service cautions individuals that while this summer's first heat wave may be over in the northeast, don't get too comfortable and forget to play it safe in summer heat.

Heat kills by taxing the human body beyond its abilities. When the heat retained by the body gain exceeds the level it can remove, or when the body cannot compensate for fluids and salt lost through perspiration, the body's temperature begins to rise, and heat-related illness may develop.

In the event of heat stroke or other heat-related condition, get the victim out of the sun and seek medical attention immediately. Lay the victim down and loosen his or her clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths and fan the victim or better yet, take him or her to an air conditioned room. Provide sips of water, but stop if nausea occurs.

"While our job is to issue the heat warnings, it's everyone's job to protect themselves, their families, and friends and neighbors at risk such as the elderly and the handicapped," Szatkowski said, adding that the weather service works with cities such as Philadelphia and Washington to coordinate response plans in advance of high heat.

The National Weather Service offers the following summer heat safety tips:

Slow Down Strenuous activities should be reduced, eliminated, or rescheduled to cooler parts of the day. Individuals at risk should stay in the coolest possible place which might not necessarily be indoors. Dress For Summer Lightweight, light-colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight, and helps your body maintain normal temperatures.

Put Less Fuel on Your Inner Fires Protein-rich foods, which increase metabolic heat production, also increase water loss.

Drink Plenty of Water or Other Non-Alcohol Fluids Your body needs water to keep cool. Drink plenty of fluids even if you don't feel thirsty. Persons who have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease; are on fluid-restricted diets; or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a physician before increasing their consumption of fluids.

Do Not Drink Alcoholic Beverages.

Do Not Take Salt Tablets Unless Specified By A Physician Persons on salt-restricted diets should consult a physician before increasing their salt intake.

Spend More Time in Air-Conditioned Places Air conditioning in homes and other buildings markedly reduces danger from the heat. If you cannot afford an air conditioner, spending some time each day (during hot weather) in an air conditioned environment affords some protection.

Don't Get Too Much Sun Sunburn makes cooling the body down much more difficult.

What is a heat wave? "Heat waves are prolonged episodes of excessive heat and humidity," said Gary Szatkowski, meteorologist-in-charge of the weather service's Philadelphia office. NWS offices will issue an Excessive Heat Warning when prolonged periods of life-threatening heat are expected. A Heat Advisory will go out when shorter periods of high heat are expected.

In considering the impact of heat on the population, the NWS uses a Heat Index, a measure of how hot it actually feels when humidity is also considered, Szatkowski noted.

"Our goal is to give as much advanced notice of extreme weather as possible," said Barbara McNaught, a meteorologist at Sterling, Va., the weather office that serves the nation's capital. "In advance of extreme heat, we want people to think of the steps they will take to keep themselves and their families healthy," McNaught said, noting that the NWS has stepped up its efforts to alert the general public and appropriate authorities to the hazards of heat.

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