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We have learned several important lessons from heat-related deaths in previous years: 1. Some who died during periods of high heat had air conditioning but did not use it at the time of their death. 2. Staff assessing heat safety at residences should inspect bedrooms (often located on upper floors) when possible. (In one heat-related death, the resident told the case manager that his boarding home had air conditioning. The case manager erroneously assumed that the resident had air conditioning in his bedroom – the location of the death). 3. When a person complains of heat stress symptoms, staff must communicate this information to all other service providers, family members and significant others. Please remember that a history of heat-related illness puts the person at higher risk for future episodes! 4. Adequate heat safety checks involve your staff in two ways: 1) staff assistance to program participants is necessary in April for the development of buddy systems comprised of natural supports, and 2) staff teaming during high heat periods is essential for heat safety checks for individuals at high-risk. Below is a list of some of the heat safety resources available to the Philadelphia Behavioral Health System this year (not listed are additional resources available to homeless persons) 1. Conditions of high heat (in excess of 810 F) noted in a person’s place of residence (e.g. CRR, PDR, SIL apartment, licensed personal care home, half-way houses) should be reported to: Medical Emergency (e.g. fever, panting, disorientation, profuse or lack of sweating) Call 91