The National Weather Center’s forecast includes multiple days of over 100-degree temps. Austin-Travis County public safety officials advise to drink plenty of water, take breaks in the shade if you must be outdoors and know where to go if you need to cool off.  

Cooling Centers 
Many Austin Public Library locations and Austin Recreation and Senior Centers are available to for use as a cooling center during normal business hours (not for overnight services).  To help find a location in your neighborhood, check out this Austin-Travis County map of libraries and recreation centers. Please verify hours before arriving at a location. 

City of Austin Recreation and Senior Centers EXCEPT Virgina L. Brown and Turner-Roberts locations are open to serve as cooling centers. Visit the Austin Parks & Recreation’s Website for addresses and business hours. 

Austin Public Libraries EXCEPT the St. John’s location are open to serve as cooling centers. Visit Austin Public Library’s website for addresses and business hours. 

Currently, service animals are the only animals permissible at these locations.  

Additionally, Travis County Health and Human Services has opened Community Center lobbies for anyone needing a break from the heat. The public can go to any Community Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day through Friday. See the Travis-County website for more details on Community Center locations.  

Heat Safety Tips to Avoid Heat Related Injuries  
Exposure to extreme heat can lead to a heat emergency ranging from heat cramps and exhaustion to heat stroke. In as little as three minutes in the sun, a car’s interior temperatures can heat up from 78 to 100 degrees, and can increase an additional 20 degrees in ten minutes, putting your loved ones in danger of hyperthermia or heatstroke. 

Symptoms of heat exhaustion can include excessive sweating, cool, pale and clammy skin, nausea or vomiting, muscle cramps and/or a rapid, weak pulse. Symptoms of heat stroke include dry skin that’s hot to the touch, altered mental status, hallucinations or loss of consciousness. Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency. If you experience these symptoms, or witness someone experiencing, them, Move them, Cool them and Call 911 immediately.  

Be sure to follow worker safety regulations including the Rest Break Ordinance to help keep workers safe in the heat.   

Heat Safety Tips for Pets 
Protect your pets from the heat too. Anytime your pet is outside, make sure they have shade and plenty of fresh, cold water. Limit exercise on hot days and stay off the pavement – it can quickly burn your dog’s paw pads. Never leave your pet in your car. If you are driving to destinations where you cannot bring your pet inside with you, don't bring them in the first place! Leaving them alone in a hot car will only put them at serious risk. Use the drive-thru when possible. Visit the Austin Animal Center website for more information and resources.  

Heat Safety Tips for Children and Elderly People 
Children are at a great risk for heat stroke because their bodies heat up three to five times faster than an adult's does. Also, a child’s ability to maintain and regulate their core internal temperature is immaturely developed and, in the elderly, the body’s temperature regulation ability can be impaired due to underlying medical conditions and medications they may be taking.  

If you see an unattended child, elderly person, or animal alone in a vehicle, get involved- get them out as quickly as possible using any means available, and call 911 immediately. If you need to break a window, use the one furthest away from the person or animal inside. 

Energy Saving Tips 
Follow Austin Energy’s energy saving tips for your home or business. 

Wildfire Fire Safety  
Wildfire risk today is moderate. Pay attention to this site to track fire danger and modify your behavior based on the daily wildfire danger rating. The Austin-Travis County Wildfire Coalition has published a Ready, Set, Go! guide (also in Spanish as ¡Preparados, Listos, Fuera!) to help central Texans organize themselves for evacuation. Plan to be Prepared, prepare to be ready, and when the time comes be ready to go. Remember, Wildfire is Everyone’s Fight.