For Release:  (Washington, D.C. -- Wednesday, June 21, 2006)

Contact: Roxanne Smith, (202) 564-4355 / smith.roxanne@epa.gov

Few Americans are aware that there are a number of easy steps that can be taken to protect against the number one weather-related cause of death in the United States – excessive heat. Most of these deaths are preventable. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is releasing a guide to help people understand heat-related health impacts and how to cope with excessive heat.

EPA's Excessive Heat Events Guidebook, developed with a range of federal and local officials and national experts, summarizes heat-related health impacts and highlights best practices that can save lives. The guidebook also provides public-assistance options for emergency managers, state and local officials, and meteorologists.

The guidebook highlights simple actions that individuals can take to protect themselves from abnormally high heat events, such as:

·               Seeking air conditioned environments

·               Drinking plenty of nonalcoholic fluids

·               Checking on vulnerable people who may need help, including the elderly, ill, homeless, or socially-isolatedindividuals

·               Wearing loose-fitting, light-colored clothes

Excessive Heat Events Guidebook: http://epa.gov/heatisland/about/heatguidebook.html