Sir: Summer is on and Karachi is getting hotter with each passing day. Last year thousands of people were died due to heat-stroke. June 24 last year was the hottest day in Karachi when the temperature increased to 45C, the highest in 36 years. People have no knowledge about how to deal with hot weather. There are simple tips for them to protect themselves from the heat. Most people use home-made drinks, lemonade and salted milk-lassi, using lots of water and yoghurt. As regards dress, it is good to wear loose and light-colored clothes, along with caps, sunglasses and umbrellas when out in the open. Between 12 noon and 3pm, one should avoid direct sunlight. During loadshedding, keep cool by using hand-fans and avoid spending too much time in front of the stove. Avoid taking heavy and oily foods. Skin diseases get worse during summers. A fair number of people visit hospital about skin rash. The government should update hospital facilities as a fair number of people suffering from hot pimples and rash skin visit hospital for relief. Also, the government should plant more trees along roads and footpaths and at bus stops. HAMAILA SHAH Karachi