shingo2008

 Turn up the fans and fill the ice buckets: It's going to be anotherhot August day. An excessive-heat warning is in effect for Wichitaand most of eastern Kansas until 9 p.m. today.

 Heat index readings climbed into dangerous territory Monday and areexpected to remain high -- above 105 degrees -- until a cool frontbrings relief late tonight, forecasters said.

 Officials said everyone -- but especially older adults, babies andthose with certain medical conditions -- should drink plenty ofwater and avoid outdoor activities during the hottest part of theday, which is generally from noon to 3 p.m.

 Local hospitals reported only three heat-related illnesses over thepast several days. But officials said heat can be an aggravatingfactor in cases of asthma, dizziness and heart failure.

 "Heat aggravates a number of other conditions," said RozHutchinson, spokeswoman for Via Christi Regional Medical Center."It may not be the primary illness, but was certainly a factor in anumber of other admissions."

 Older adults are particularly vulnerable to the dangers of heat, sosenior citizens are being urged to take special precautions.

 Problem is, said Debbie Hilpert, spokeswoman for Home InsteadSenior Care in Wichita, many older adults ignore the warningsbecause they "don't think they're 'older.' "

 Anybody with a lowered metabolism or conditions such as high bloodpressure, diabetes or respiratory illnesses should stay out of thesun and heat, Hilpert said.

 People with elderly friends or family members living alone shouldcheck on them regularly during heat waves, she added. Encouragethem to stay out of the sun, eat light meals and drink lots ofwater, she said, "even if they don't want to."

 Baseball tournament

 Staying out of the sun isn't an option for the players, coaches andumpires at the National Baseball Congress World Series in Wichitathis week. But organizers said they are taking precautions forparticipants and fans.

 "Folks have handled it pretty well so far," said Jerry Taylor,tournament director of operations. "The heat is just one of thosethings we just have to deal with."

 The tournament has relaxed its "no outside food or drinks" rule toallow fans to bring water in clear plastic containers, Taylor said.

 Large coolers of ice water and buckets with iced towels sit at eachdugout. During breaks in the action, players and umpires cool theirheads with the towels, Taylor said, and a trainer is on hand torespond to heat-related injuries. As of Monday afternoon, none hadbeen reported, he said.

 Meanwhile, local offices for the American Red Cross and SalvationArmy were continuing efforts to offer free fans to those in need.

 It's not certain how many people in Wichita live withoutair-conditioning, said Beth Oaks, vice president for communityplanning and resources at the United Way of the Plains.

 The Wichita metropolitan area is too small to be considered in theU.S. Census Bureau's periodic American Housing Survey, which trackssuch data.

 But based on data from the Kansas City area in 2002, more than 800homes in Sedgwick County could be without any type ofair-conditioning -- central air or window units -- Oaks said.

 Tim Brown, spokesman for the Salvation Army in Wichita, said thatorganization had distributed more than 200 fans so far this summer,and the demand continues.

 "It is just unbearably hot, and people are in desperate need ofsome relief," Brown said.

 Reach Suzanne Perez Tobias at 316-268-6567 or

stobias@wichitaeagle.com