Copyright 2006 Chicago Tribune Company
                                Chicago Tribune

                             July 29, 2006 Saturday
                             Chicago Final Edition

SECTION:  METRO ; Pg. 15

LENGTH: 396 words

HEADLINE: Back into the broiler: Heat bears down on city again;
Cooling centers open, well-being checks set

BYLINE: By Miriah Meyer, Tribune staff reporter

BODY:

   As Chicagoans braced for another sweltering weekend, officials urged
residents to stay cool after the National Weather Service declared the area's
second heat warning of the summer.

   The weather service said Friday that high temperatures and humidity could
push the heat index above 100 degrees through early next week. Excessive heat
has been predicted for 19 Illinois counties.

   The danger of multiple, scorching days, officials warned, is the cumulative
effect of heat on the body. "Each day of a heat wave is more deadly than the day
before," said Dr. William Paul, deputy commissioner of the Chicago Department of
Public Health.

   But, he said, heat-related deaths are preventable.

   To avoid heat-induced illnesses, Paul emphasized that cooling off even for
two to three hours on extremely hot days can help the body cope. People living
without air-conditioning are encouraged to visit cooling centers, take cool
baths or showers and drink at least eight glasses of water a day.

   Since the summer's first heat wave swept through the region two weeks ago,
officials have attributed eight deaths to the heat, with the victims ranging
from age 49 to 79.

   On Friday, officials in Cicero said the death of a 6-month-old girl may have
been heat-related. An autopsy of the child will be performed Saturday, police
said.

   Officials are responding to the heat wave by opening cooling centers across
the city and suburbs and extending hours at some senior centers. In Chicago,
four senior centers will have extended hours. Other cooling centers include
district police stations, libraries and park facilities.

   The Chicago Department on Aging will place calls to high-risk seniors and
will team up with the Department of Human Services to conduct well-being checks
requested through phone calls to 311, the city's information number.

   Details on the nearest cooling center can also be obtained by calling 311 in
the city.