HEAT WAVE EXPECTED TO LAST THROUGH WEEK

As the mercury skyrockets in Southeast Missouri, so do utility bills and the chances for heat-related illness.

Area hospitals reported some cases of heat exhaustion and dehydration and utility companies expected peak demands for electricity to power air-conditioning units this week.

Temperatures reached 96 degrees Monday, with a dip into the 80s expected by the weekend.

"Basically, there's a big dome of hot air over the region," said Rick Shanklin, meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Paducah, Ky. "We expect that through mid-week, there will be a gradual end to it."

Shanklin said the heat is caused by a big ridge of high pressure over the central United States. There were similar heat-wave periods in July last year around Independence Day, he said.

Emergency room personnel are expecting to see more patients for heat-related illness complaints, though no serious cases were reported Monday.

Last year, 842 people in Missouri suffered from heat-related illnesses; 23 died. Six heat-related deaths already have been reported to the Missouri Department of Health.

The state health department on Monday issued a hot weather health advisory, which is necessary when heat indexes reach 105 or higher for a large part of the state.

Cape Girardeau County health officials have had only one report of a heat-related illness. St. Francis Medical Center saw only one case last week, but expects more, said Maria Swan with the public relations department.

None of the cases at St. Francis or Southeast Missouri Hospital was critical.

There have been several people arrive at the emergency room at Southeast hospital but most of those have been people who had too much exposure to the heat and needed to be rehydrated, said Sally Owen of the marketing and public relations department at the hospital.

Some more vulnerable

People who have a diminished ability to perspire are more prone to suffer from heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heatstroke during extended periods of warm weather, said Jane Wernsman, assistant director at the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center.

"The elderly are most vulnerable during a heat wave like this," she said. Infants, young children and anyone with a chronic illness also are vulnerable.

The elderly and children often are more prone to heat-related illnesses because of their diminished ability to perspire and because they aren't drinking as much fluids, she said.

"People tend to overexert themselves," Wernsman said.

But overexerting yourself to the point of perspiring can be a benefit because perspiration helps to provide some cooling, she said.

Anyone working outdoors needs to take plenty of breaks, resting in the shade and drink plenty of fluids, but avoid beverages with caffeine and alcohol or large amounts of sugar because they can cause the body to lose more fluids.

Wernsman also said that electric fans can help cool a home or room at night but aren't much benefit during the daytime.

"An electric fan may be useful to draw cool air into your home at night, but a cool shower or bath is a more effective way to cool off" during the daytime, she said. "They won't prevent a heat-related illness."

Air-conditioning can offer a break, but the high temperatures Monday prompted the highest electric demand of the year, said Mike Cleary with AmerenUE.

The absolute maximum demand is 11,400 megawatts of power. By 2 p.m. Monday, the demand had already reached 10,800 megawatts. Officials expect the top levels to be reached, particularly between 4 and 6 p.m., which is the hottest part of the day.

"The air conditioner is working at its hardest then," said Cleary.

AmerenUE officials didn't expect any electricity problems or outages because of the high demand for power.

Laura Johnston, Beth Lewis and Ray Owen contributed to this report.

A HOT DAY

Temperatures on July 9:

Year High Low

1992 94 75

1993 96 75

1994 85 68

1995 90 68

1996 80 65

1997 86 67

1998 91 72

1999 90 67

2000 90 73

2001 96 74

Source: Southeast Missourian records

HOT WEATHER GUIDE

Tips for saving energy during summer:

* Make sure your air-conditioner unit is in the shade. If it isn't, build a wood shade that covers the unit but doesn't block air flow.

* Don't constantly readjust your air temperature settings indoors. Switching the thermostat to a cooler setting when you turn the unit on won't cool the room any faster.

* Set the thermostat as high as is possible and still comfortable. Mike Cleary of AmerenUE said customers can save 2 percent of their bill for every degree they raise the thermostat. The most energy-efficient temperature is 78 degrees.

* Where a thermostat is located often determines how well it operates. Thermostats shouldn't be placed on exterior walls or in places affected by hot or cold temperature extremes.

Tips for staying cool:

* Wear light-colored clothes and dress in layers.

* Drink plenty of fluids, avoiding drinks with caffeine and alcohol or large amounts sugar because those cause you to lose more fluid.

* Rest frequently in shady areas so your body has a chance to cool down.

* Schedule outdoor activities before noon or in the evening when temperatures are cooler.

* Start any activity slowly and pick up the pace, limiting the time you are outdoors.

* Wear sunscreen to protect your skin.

* Use a buddy system when out in the heat; don't work alone; keep an eye on co-workers.

What is it?

Heat cramps are painful spasms in the muscles of the legs and abdomen.

Heat exhaustion symptoms include heavy sweating, cool and clammy skin, shallow breathing and feeling faint of dizzy. This occurs as the body's response to a loss of water and salt.

Heatstroke or sunstroke symptoms include dizziness and nausea, a body temperature of 103 degrees, fast pulse and skin that is hot, red and dry. It occurs when the body is unable to regulate its temperature. A stroke can develop within minutes or hours.

What should you do?

For all illnesses, health officials suggest stopping your activity and getting to a cool place to lie down. Loosen your clothing and drink sips of cool water. Cases of heatstroke can be more severe and require immediate medical attention.