Your Sept. 1 story about Las Vegas residents dying in their homes (“Many unable to escape heat”) because they lacked air conditioning reminded me of Chicago’s deadly heat wave 31 years ago. Many of those who died were elderly and living alone in apartments, often without working A/C and sometimes afraid to open their windows because of crime.
Air conditioning is important, but it should not be presented as the only defense against dangerous heat. When temperatures become extreme, especially during a power failure, public officials should repeatedly remind people of other ways to cool themselves: take cool showers, wet the skin or clothing, use damp towels and sit in front of a fan when electricity is available.
Water cools the body directly, and evaporation provides additional cooling. In a dry climate such as Las Vegas, that can be especially effective. These simple measures cost little and could save lives. They deserve to be part of every public warning about extreme heat.
