Symptoms of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, nausea or vomiting and fainting. If you stop sweating altogether and your skin feels cold and clammy, get out of the sun immediately-you may be experiencing heat stroke, a condition where the body's temperature can soar to 106 degrees or higher within 15 minutes. It can rapidly progress to unconsciousness and even death.

INSECT STINGS-Wasps, bees and fire ants all create nests below the ground, and our sandy soil makes the perfect construction material. Fire ants are the most notorious because of their aggressive nature. Unfortunate souls who wander upon a nest can disturb the colony and receive painful, itchy bites.

Even if you avoid their nests, a single errant pest may hitch a ride on your shoe as you walk by, so if you're stung, stay alert for allergic reactions. Most bites can be treated with antihistamines, but if you experience trouble swallowing or breathing, or tingling in the mouth or skin, get to an emergency room pronto. You may be experiencing anaphylactic shock, a serious reaction that can kill.

RED TIDE-According to Mote Marine Laboratory, the first recorded incidence of red tide occurred off the coast of Venice, Florida, in the fall of 1947. Residents were so rattled by the thousands of dead fish and stinging air that they feared they'd been attacked by nerve gas.

Red tides are algae blooms that begin in the ocean and drift onshore, and they have been recorded in many parts of the world. The neurotoxins in red tide kill fish and have been implicated in the deaths of whales, manatees and dolphins that eat contaminated fish.

In humans, red tide can induce burning sensations in the eyes and nose and occasionally a dry, choking cough. For that reason, people with respiratory problems should check the Florida Red Tide hotline before heading out (492-3156, ext. 4). It identifies beaches currently experiencing algae blooms.

LIGHTNING-Florida is the lightning capital of the U.S., and the National Weather Service says lightning kills an average of 10 people every year here. At Sarasota County beaches, lifeguards have detectors that tell them if lightning strikes within a certain distance from the beach. Since lightning can strike as far as 10 miles away from an approaching storm, and many people killed are nowhere near rainfall, Montgomery says, "If you hear thunder, it's time to leave. Lightning strikes the tallest object on the beach, and if you're on the beach, you're the tallest object."

Stay off the golf course, the tennis court, and dock your boat during storms. Objects like golf clubs, fishing rods, and tennis racquets attract lightning, and lightning that strikes water can travel a considerable distance from the point of contact. Go indoors or inside a car (not a convertible). If you can't get inside safely, move below the tree line and crouch down in a small grove of trees. And stay away from groups of people-picnic shelters, baseball dugouts and bleachers are not safe.

ALLIGATORS-Robert Dye, park manager at Myakka River State Park, says in all his 24 years at the park, "We've never had an alligator bite." During our dry season, alligators do sometimes wander into swimming pools in search of water, but according to Dye, "There's only one dangerous animal that you'll ever encounter in a park, and it has two legs and walks upright." He attributes any problems with alligators to humans feeding them, which is illegal. Once they associate a human with food, he says, they usually must be destroyed.

Dye advises people to enjoy these majestic creatures from afar. He says a 'gator lying prostrate in the sun is conserving its energy to feed at night. They only become aggressive with each other during territorial disputes over potential mates, or when their youngsters are threatened. "Don't pick up baby alligators, no matter how cute they are," warns Dye. "Mothers stay close to their young, so if you spot a one- or two-foot 'gator, move on." Also, don't wade or fish at night in areas that alligators populate. Alligators have poor eyesight and are attracted to food sources by sound. If they hear you splashing around after a trout, they could mistake you for the fish.