HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES EXPECTED TO INCREASE

Two men were treated for heat related illnesses, which Cape Girardeau firefighters fear might increase over a hot weekend.

"You'll get a lot of people working out in their yards, and the heat will sneak up on them," said Capt. Bobby Kembel of the Cape Girardeau Fire Department. "They just don't realized that it's that hot."

With temperatures climbing into the 90s accompanied by higher humidity, more cases of heat exhaustion or stroke are possible, firefighters said.

A 90 degree temperature coupled with humidity of 30 percent or above creates an opportunity for heat cramps or heat exhaustion, says outdoor activity and health research by Princeton University. The same research shows that heat stroke becomes possible with a 90 degree temperature and humidity above 70 percent.

Both of Friday's heat victims were city employees, Kembel said.

A 53-year-old man who was driving a truck for the city Public Works Department became overheated while driving. The temperature inside the truck's cab had heated up, and failing to drink any liquids, he became dehydrated, Kembel said.

Even though he was disoriented, the driver was able to make his way back to the Public Works building, where he needed help to get out of his truck and into the building.

The man had stopped sweating and was weak and incoherent when firefighters arrived, Kembel said. These are signs of heat stroke, he said.

"It could lead to death within minutes if you don't get fluids and move the person into a cool environment," he said.

Typically, drinks that replenish a body's electrolytes are best, Kembel said.

Another man who was working at the city's recycling center was in worse shape, the firefighter said. He had been working inside the metal building before falling over from an apparent case of heat exhaustion. The 51-year-old man continued sweating, but was very weak.

Co-workers at the recycling center sprayed water on the man and turned a fan on him, which Kembel said were excellent ideas.

Both men were transported to hospitals for treatment, Kembel said.