Dallas County reports 14th heat death, with 11 more under investigation

[w8liftinglady]

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/dallas/headlines/20110805-dallas-county-reports-14th-heat-death-with-11-more-under-investigation.ece

A 53-year-old woman became the 14th heat-related death in Dallas County this summer.

The Kaufman County woman, who was not identified, was brought to Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, where she died Friday morning.

The Dallas County medical examiner’s office ruled her cause of death as hyperthermia, or extreme heat, with hypertension and diabetes as contributing factors.

Eleven other recent deaths are under review for a possible connection to the extreme heat.

Most of this year’s heat victims have been found dead in their sweltering homes.

Health officials have repeatedly urged residents to keep an eye on their most vulnerable neighbors, especially elderly residents who may have turned off an air conditioner to save money.

[Taverner]

1. There's only one thing we can do to solve this...

And that is to RAISE our power bills!

That should solve it, and if it doesn't, we need to make sure everyone on public assistance gives up their Air Conditioner!

[dtexdem]

2. And (at least) one of the DFW heat deaths occurred after someone stole the AC.

The woman reported the theft to the police, who took a report on it. And a couple of days later, the woman died of hypothermia.

[cwydro]

6. HypERthermia

not hypothermia...big difference...though same outcome in the end.

[MilesColtrane]

3. It was 100 degrees at midnight on Tuesday night.

I made it through the heat wave of 1980, but this one is getting to me.

Maybe it's just because I'm older.

[anamandujano]

5. Horrible. At least here it goes down to the 70s at night.

After reading here at DU about some guy dying in his garage of heat stroke, I started taking my temperature when I was doing yard work or just in from errands.

It's scary to think some aren't able to get out of their homes and go to the library or somewhere else to cool off.

[MilesColtrane]

7. Yeah, I'm not looking forward to this becoming the new normal type of summer.

If I was loaded, I'd buy land in central Canada.

It may end up being the only comfortable place to live in North America soon.

:(

[jwirr]

4. I am actually surprise that there are not more. Those in the heat belt

are going to have to return the favor we do you when our snow birds come south in the winter to spend their money. Come to MN and enjoy the cool nights - our days are pretty hot too.