Keeping cool

Hi neighbors. Do you have air conditioning? If not, be careful and don't get overheated! This persistent hot weather can be deadly if you ignore it.

Remember the two heat related killers are heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Here are tips from the Oklahoma State University's Web site: Heat exhaustion happens when you don't drink enough fluids to replace what you're sweating away. The symptoms include: headache, heavy sweating, intense thirst, dizziness, fatigue, loss of coordination, nausea, impaired judgment, loss of appetite, hyperventilation, tingling in hands or feet, anxiety, cool moist skin, weak and rapid pulse (120-200), and low to normal blood pressure.

Somebody suffering these symptoms should be moved to a cool location such as a shaded area or air-conditioned building. Have them lie down with their feet slightly elevated. Loosen their clothing, apply cool, wet cloths or fan them. Have them drink water or electrolyte drinks. Try to cool them down, and have them checked by medical personnel. Victims of heat exhaustion should avoid strenuous activity for at least a day, and they should continue to drink water to replace lost body fluids.

Heat stroke is a life threatening illness with a high death rate. It occurs when the body has depleted its supply of water and salt, and the victim's body temperature rises to deadly levels. A heat stroke victim may first suffer heat cramps and/or the heat exhaustion before progressing into the heat stroke stage, but this is not always the case. It should be noted that, on the job, heat stroke is sometimes mistaken for heart attack. It is therefore very important to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat stroke -- and to check for them anytime an employee collapses while working in a hot environment.

The early symptoms of heat stroke include a high body temperature (103 degrees fahrenheit); a distinct absence of sweating (usually); hot red or flushed dry skin; rapid pulse; difficulty breathing; constricted pupils; any/all the signs or symptoms of heat exhaustion such as dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, or confusion, but more severe; bizarre behavior; and high blood pressure. Advance symptoms may be seizure or convulsions, collapse, loss of consciousness, and a body temperature of over 108 degrees fahrenheit.

It is vital to lower a heat stroke victim's body temperature. Seconds count. Pour water on them, fan them, or apply cold packs. Call 911 and get an ambulance on the way as soon as possible.

The main ways to avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke are to stay inside with air conditioning or fans, drink lots of liquids, (don't wait till you're thirsty!) including electrolyte drinks that replace water and minerals. Don't drink alcohol, coffee or pop while working in a hot environment. Watch your body! If you start to get a headache or feel overheated, take a break.

You might want to just find a place with air conditioning to spend the worst part of the afternoon.

If you enjoy reading, stop in at the public library and browse through the latest magazines, newspapers or books.

For the price of a couple of cups of coffee or soda pop, you can spend the hottest part of the day at any local cafe.

Take time to walk around the square and shop in the local stores. Visit the courthouse just to admire the architecture and find out what is wrong with the clock.

Of course if you want the ultimate cold cave experience, take in a movie at the Cinema Six.

This month I've gone to see Hellboy 2 and Batman -- The Dark Knight. For what they are, they are both good movies.

Hellboy2 has all the monsters you could want to encounter and the sarcastic wit of the first movie in the series. Certainly there will be more as it is a great money maker.

The newest in the Batman myth was very well done. Batman has to deal with his best girlfriend dumping him for a popular politician. As much as everyone in the audience wanted to hate this interloper, we finally agreed with Batman that he was the hero that Gotham needed.

The Joker role of psychopathic mass murderer was portrayed to a perfect, and eerie, pitch. Not just a bad guy villain with a damaged face, this Joker came off as a seriously sinister psycho. A movie I'd recommend for those over 16. I think anyone under that age might have a few more nightmares about clowns than is the average.

Until the next time friends remember that when the temperatures get over 90, there's more to staying cool than wearing the latest fashions.