OFFICIALS WARN TO USE CAUTION DURING CURRENT HOT SPELL

Shopping malls and movie theaters were much more inviting than the shade as high temperatures made being outside uncomfortable for most Sunday and Monday.

The heat index, a measure of how hot it feels, reached critical numbers Sunday, prompting the Missouri Department of Health to issue a hot-weather health advisory. The advisories are released whenever a heat index of 105 is reached over most of the state.

Jim Govro, general manager of Westfield Shoppingtown Plaza West Park, said he expects to see an increase in the number of mall-goers while the hot weather lasts.

"When you have the optional comfort of 75 degrees inside, it's not too hard to stay away," Govro said. "Those days are when we really start to pick up in mall traffic."

Although the heat index dropped a little Monday, health officials said temperatures in Southeast Missouri were still high enough to be cause for concern.

"Advisories are just a way to let Missourians know the heat index is on its way up," said state health program representative Diane C. Rackers. "We usually see the highest heat indexes in Southeast Missouri through the summer, even when the rest of the state is not quite that hot."

Rackers said the elderly and children are most at risk for suffering heat-related illnesses because they may become overheated without knowing or communicating it to someone who could help them.

But athletes or middle-aged, healthy adults are equally susceptible to prolonged exposure to high temperatures.

"Heat has a cumulative effect, so after several days of high temperatures you'll start seeing more illnesses and deaths," Rackers said. "Everyone should take extra precautions in the heat because they're all vulnerable."

Ninety-two Missourians died from heat-related illnesses last year, with 79 of those deaths occurring during a heat wave in the last two weeks of July.

Rackers said people should check on elderly relatives and neighbors frequently when temperatures rise, and parents should never leave children in the heat because the result can be fatal.

"One time we had a child who died simply from being left in a hot room, so you really have to watch and be careful in hot weather," she said. "Don't rely on them to know when they're too hot or need more fluids."

Rackers said families should not rely solely on fans to make them cool.

"We recommend the use of fans to bring cool air into the home, but when temperatures are around 90, and if a fan is directly in front of you and blowing hot air on you, it can actually be detrimental and shouldn't be relied on," she said.

Fans are effective, however, in providing temporary relief in the evenings when cool air can be drawn into a home. In Cape Girardeau, the Salvation Army already has distributed 205 fans to needy families.

The Cape Girardeau chapter of the American Red Cross also has about 50 fans available for distribution. Executive director Mary Burton said families also may volunteer in the Red Cross office or go to the Osage Centre, which is functioning as a heat-relief shelter this summer.

"I think that a lot of times people don't recognize when they're suffering from heat exhaustion or heat cramps, which can lead to a heat stroke, which is life threatening," Burton said. "These are all part of what we teach in CPR and first-aid classes."

People should eat frequent, small meals and avoid alcohol and caffeine during the summer. Meals should not contain high amounts of protein, which increases metabolic heat.

"There's something to be said for that corn on the cob and watermelon during the summer," Burton said.

The National Weather Service forecasts increasingly cloudy weather with a chance of thunderstorms today. Temperatures should range from a low of about 70 to a high around 90 degrees.

Tamara Zellars Buck may be reached at 335-6611 ext. 128 or by e-mail at tbuck@semissourian.com.

PREVENTING HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS

*Be aware of the warning signs of heat-related illness such as light-headedness, mild nausea or confusion, sleepiness or profuse sweating.

*Increase your fluid intake; drink more liquids than your thirst indicates.

*Drink non-alcoholic and caffeine-free liquids such as water and juices.

*Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.

*When unaccustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment, start slowly and pick up the pace gradually. Rest frequently in a shady area.

*Spend time in an air-conditioned place; if not at home, then such public places as libraries, supermarkets, shopping malls and movie theaters.

*Do not rely on fans as your primary cooling devise during a heat wave.

*Schedule outdoor activities carefuly, preferably before noon or in the evening.

*When working in the heat, monitor the condition of your co-workers and have someone do the same for you.

*Monitor those at high risk such as the elderly, infants and children up to 4 years of age, someone whi is overweight or someone on medication.

*Ask your physician whether you are at particular risk because of medication.

*Do not leave infants, children or pets unattended in a parked car or other hot environment.

Source: Missouri State Hiealth Department