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Wilting in the heat? Here's what you need to survive summer's hot days:

Be careful of heat stroke, exhaustion

Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, poor concentration, paleness, cramps, weakness, dizziness, headache and fainting.

Signs of heat stroke include a body temperature greater than 103; red, hot, and dry skin (with no sweating); rapid, strong pulse; throbbing headache; dizziness; nausea; confusion; and unconsciousness.

Get anyone exhibiting any of these signs out of the sun and into shade or air conditioning and provide fluids. If someone is experiencing signs of heat stroke, call 911 and try to cool the victim by spraying or sponging with water or wrapping him or her in a wet sheet.

Help is available

Federal money to help those in crisis because of extreme heat may be available for households with up to 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. Call the state Department of Health and Human Services at (800) 662-7030.

Be smart, careful

Pace yourself; rest often. Seek shade when you can. Drink fluids; 16 to 32 ounces per hour is recommended. Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothes. Avoid hot or heavy foods or hot drinks, and pass up alcohol.

No heat shelters planned

As of Monday, Guilford County Emergency Management did not plan to open any heat shelters today. Any decision to do so would be made jointly with the American Red Cross.

Free box fans

The nonprofit Senior Resources of Guilford is giving the fans to people 60 and older who don't have adequate cooling. For more information on the program, paid for by Duke Energy, call 333-6981

Is it this brutal every year?

The record low in August for Greensboro is 50 degrees, set on Aug. 17, 1979, Aug. 25, 1952, and Aug. 27, 1945. And believe it or not, the National Weather Service says we actually got a trace of snow on Aug. 30, 2006.

Keeping athletes safe

Through Aug. 19, no football practices are allowed between noon and 5 p.m. Practices may not be held later in the day if athletic directors determine that heat and humidity are too high.