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Extreme Heat

The Houston area has dangerously hot summers, and sometimes spring and fall temperatures as well. Houston is ranked as the fourth most intense city in the U.S. for urban heat island intensity. Knowing heat safety precautions and how to recognize heat-related illnesses can help save you or someone else.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR EXTREME HEAT:

  • Learn to recognize signs of heat illness (unusual heavy sweating, shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches muscle cramping, nausea, weakness)
  • Do not rely on your fan as your primary cooling device. They create air flow but do not reduce body temperature.
  • Make sure your AC is ready for the summer. Change or clean air filters, clear debris around the outdoor unit, check and clean condenser coils, and consider scheduling professional maintenance.
  • Cover windows with drapes or shades.
  • Add insulation to keep the heat out.
  • Identify places in your community where you can go to get cool. Check here for available cooling centers in Houston.
  • People unaccustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment need to start slowly and gradually increase heat exposure over several weeks.

WHAT TO DO DURING AN EXTREME HEAT WAVE:

The Houston Health Department recommends the precautions below to avoid heat-related illness such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

  • NEVER leave infants, children, senior citizens or pets unattended in a parked vehicle, even if the windows are cracked open.
  • Check to make sure everyone is out of the car and don’t overlook children who may have fallen asleep.
  • Carry a water bottle and increase water consumption. Drink lots of liquids even before getting thirsty, but avoid beverages with caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar because these can result in the loss of body fluid.
  • Conduct outdoor work or exercise in the early morning or evening when temperatures are not as high.
  • Outdoor workers should drink plenty of water or electrolyte replacement beverages and take frequent breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned facility.
  • Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing that permits the evaporation of perspiration.
  • Wear a wide-brimmed hat to help prevent sunburn as well as heat-related illness.
  • Apply sunscreen, which protects from the sun’s harmful rays and reduces the risk of sunburn.
  • Take breaks at cooling centers or any facilities with air conditioning.
  • Take frequent cool baths or showers if your home is not air-conditioned.
  • Bring pets indoors. Asphalt and dark pavement can be very hot to your pet’s feet. Make sure they have plenty of cool water.

HEAT SAFETY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES & THOSE AT HIGH RISK:

  • Heat can cause power outages. Have a plan for what to do with refrigerated medications and electronic medical devices.
  • Plan for batteries and other alternative power sources to meet your needs when the power goes out, such as a portable charger or power bank.
  • Store medicines properly – some may need to be kept out of hot places.
  • Make sure kids have an emergency contact person and know how to reach them if someone around them experience a heat related illness.
  • Teach kids when and how to call important numbers like 9-1-1.
  • Include homecare providers in your emergency plan and ensure familiarity with their agency’s plan.
  • In case you need to move to a cooling center, arrange transportation options ahead of time if needed (e.g., METRO Lift, 311, or a friend/family member). Ensure that transportation vehicles are equipped for the specific needs (e.g., space for wheelchairs or oxygen).

Although anyone at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. Make sure you check on:

  • People 65 years of age or older
  • Infants and young children
  • People with asthma
  • People with heart disease
  • Pregnant women
  • People who are working or exercising outside

WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE IS EXPERIENCING HEAT ILLNESS SYMPTOMS:

  • Move them to a cooler place.
  • Use a wet cool cloth on the back of their neck.
  • Have them drink water if possible.
  • Have them take a cool shower.
  • Make sure they don’t return to strenuous activity for a few hours.
  • If they are showing signs of a heat stroke (nausea, vomiting, confusion, no sweat, headache) immediately dial 911.

POOL AND WATER SAFETY:

  • NEVER leave a child alone near water. Adult supervision is the most important safety measure to prevent a water-related tragedy involving a child.
  • Use approved flotation devices. Flotation devices are not a substitute for supervision.
  • Do not dive into unknown or unsupervised bodies of water. Jump in feet first to avoid hitting your head on the shallow bottom.
  • Don’t push or jump on others in or around water.
  • Obey all rules and signs.
  • If your apartment has a pool, inspect the fence and gate. If the gate does not lock or you find any other defects with the fence, report it to the apartment management immediately.
  • Bring a cell phone to the pool in case of emergency.
  • Make sure there is no standing water on the pool deck. Standing water is the #1 cause of slips and falls around a pool. NO RUNNING on the pool deck!
  • Enroll children over the age of 3 in swimming lessons taught by qualified instructors. However, swimming lessons don’t make your child “drown proof.”
  • Always have a first aid kit and emergency contacts handy.
  • Watch for dangerous “TOOs”- Too Tired, Too Cold, Too Far from Safety, Too Much Sun, Too Much Strenuous Activity.
  • Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. If lightning and thunder are nearby, get out until the storm has passed.
  • Wear and re-apply sunscreen.

For Heat, Watch, Warning and Advisory Criteria, visit the National Weather Service.

Cooling Center

When the City of Houston is under a heat advisory, check for Cooling Centers here.

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