Wednesday, Jun. 24, 2009

Glen Carbon woman dies from heat stroke

The heat is being blamed for the death of a 61-year-old Glen Carbon woman, Madison County Coroner Stephen P. Nonn said Wednesday.

Catherine J. Smith, of 1 East 30 Mobile Home Park, was found unresponsive in her home about 11:55 p.m. Tuesday.

Her death is the first related to heat this year in Madison and St. Clair counties, where temperatures have topped 90 for the past eight days.

An excessive heat warning remains in effect for the area through Saturday and temperatures will continue to reach into the 90s through Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

Inside Smith's home, the temperatures was 93 at the time her body was found. The air conditioner was not functioning and fans were being used to cool the residence, according to Nonn.

Smith's body temperature measured 106 degrees. She was pronounced dead at 1 a.m. at the home by Madison County Coroner's Supervisory Investigator Robert M. Lewis.

Smith also suffered from chronic medical problems that increased her susceptibility to the heat, Nonn said.

An autopsy conducted Wednesday failed to reveal any other anatomic cause of death and in conjunction with the findings of the scene investigation, the preliminary cause of death is hyperthermia, or heat stroke, Nonn said.

Nonn urged all to heed the advice of health professionals during this heat wave and defer outdoor activities as much as possible. He also encouraged people to stay hydrated and seek out an air conditioned environment.

"As children, the elderly, the infirm and those with chronic health issues are high-risk cases for heat-related illnesses, it is time for all of us to step up and make sure that our neighbors and relatives are well and provided for," Nonn said. "Even as sweltering as the temperatures are, people do not realize how badly they are suffering until it is too late. Make the phone calls, knock on the doors and make sure that your friends, family and neighbors are actually staying cool."

A list of cooling centers can be found at (800) 427-4626 or www.211southwestillinois.org.