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Wear a hat, drink plenty of water With temps around 100, watch for signs of heat illness By Jessica Smith Think cool. It�s not, of course. But experts say it�s time to look for ways to keep your body temperature down, even as the mercury continues to rise. According to the National Weather Service, thermometers in Medford will show triple digits today, for the first time this year. "Two good words," said meteorologist Mike Stavish: "hot and dry." It was definitely that Saturday afternoon. Just ask Chad Bartlett, an artist at the downtown chalk art festival. With sweat on his brow and the sun beating on his back, the former construction worker was busy creating a blue-and-black abstract design by rubbing chalk into the pavement atop the parking garage. It was 99 degrees Saturday, the closest the city has come this year to triple-digit temperatures. Although several artists propped up large umbrellas for shade, Bartlett, of Medford, had only the red shirt on his back to protect him. How could he stand it? "Just drinking a lot of water," he said. "That�s about it." Experts say that�s one of the best ways to beat the heat. With temperatures staying in the mid- to upper 90s this week, health specialists warn to watch for signs of heat-related illness: nausea, dizziness, flushed or pale skin, headaches and heavy perspiration. The symptoms, if untreated, can lead to serious injury or death, authorities say. In addition to drinking plenty of water, experts recommend: � Avoiding caffeine, which dehydrates the body. � Wearing lightweight, light-colored clothing and a hat to block the sun. � Eating smaller meals more often. � Saving outdoor or strenuous work for the coolest part of the day, typically from 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. For homeowners, officials at the power company urge residents to use common sense to keep their homes cool and their electricity bills from skyrocketing: � Use heat-producing appliances in the morning or at night. Otherwise, cook on an outdoor grill or in a microwave. � Keep lights off when they�re not in use. Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. � Open windows at night and in the morning to let in cool air. If all else fails, people can take meteorologist Stavish�s suggestion: "Go to the lake and have some fun, that�s what I say." Obituaries | Sports | Business | Classifieds | Tempo | Prime Times | So Oregon Sites | Outdoor Journal | Subscribe | Contact | Movies | Advertise | Real Estate Showcase | Archive | Editorials | Letters to the editor | Religion | Wake-up Call | NIE | Cyber Chef | Job Network | So Oregon Weather | WSJ Northwest | Forums | AP Wire | AP Money | F.A.Q. | Awards Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. The Community Newspaper Subsidiary of Dow Jones & Co, Inc Copyright �The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA