Summer heat is a hazard facing Central Texans. With an early heat wave forecasted, the City of Austin encourages residents to stay cool, hydrate, and know how to beat the heat. 

“Excessive heat can be dangerous. Whether you are a long-time Austinite, a new resident, or just visiting, know what to do to stay cool,” said Jim Redick, Director of Austin’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. “If you have not yet experienced a Central Texas heat wave, now is the time to get ready. If you’re an Austin native, you may still be caught off guard by how severe and unpredictable heat can be. Take action now to protect yourself, your family, pets, and neighbors from heat-related illness.”  

Staying hydrated and taking measures to keep yourself cool can help prevent heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If you are spending time outdoors, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Take shade breaks, wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing, and protect yourself with a brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Remember to check on neighbors, family, and friends who may be at increased risk. 

Vulnerable Populations

Everyone is vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. But some community members are particularly vulnerable. Infants, children, older adults, outdoor workers, people who are pregnant, athletes, and people with chronic medical conditions have a higher risk for heat-related illness.  

Infants and Children: Young children and infants’ bodies are limited in how well they can cool themselves. 

Older Adults: Older adults are vulnerable to heat, especially if they have additional health issues, take medications, live alone, or have limited mobility. 

Chronic Medical Conditions: People with chronic conditions are more likely to have a serious health problem during a heat wave. 

People who Work, Exercise or Play Outside: Community members with outdoor jobs, or who exercise or spend time outside, make up a large percentage of heat-related illnesses.  

People who are Pregnant: Extreme heat events are associated with adverse effects including low birth weight, pre-term birth, and infant mortality.  

For these community members, it is vital to know the signs of heat illnesses; wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing; take shade breaks regularly; and check on family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers, and make sure they have what they need to stay cool. 

Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke

It is essential to know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and heat cramps to prepare for hot weather. 

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:  

• Cool, pale, clammy skin
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Heavy sweating
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fast, weak pulse  

What to do for someone experiencing heat exhaustion:  

• Cool them and move them
• Move the person to a cooler area immediately
• Loosen clothing
• Sip cool water slowly

If symptoms do not improve, last longer than an hour, or the victim begins vomiting, seek medical help. Heat exhaustion can quickly lead to heat stroke within minutes. 

Heat Stroke Symptoms include:  

• Hot, red, dry or damp skin
• Rapid and strong pulse
• Throbbing headache
• Confusion
• Nausea or dizziness
• Body temperature above 103 F
• Lethargy or loss of consciousness  

Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency that can cause death or permanent damage if emergency treatment is not given promptly. If you or someone you are with experiences symptoms of heat stroke, MOVE THEM, COOL THEM, CALL 911.

• Move the person to a cooler area, preferably air-conditioned
• Reduce their body temperature with cool cloths or bath.
• Do NOT give fluids or anything by mouth to a person experiencing heat stroke.

Heat cramps are another heat-related illness that can progress into heat exhaustion or heat stroke if untreated. If you begin experiencing muscle or abdominal cramps in the heat, stop your physical activity, move to a cooler location, drink water and wait for the cramps to go away before doing any more physical activity. If the cramps last longer than an hour, or the person exhibits signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, call 911. 

Stay Hydrated – You & Your Pet

You can help prevent heat-related illness by drinking water throughout the day. Avoid sugary or alcoholic beverages in the heat. Those working, exercising or playing outdoors for a prolonged period should consider adding an electrolyte beverage to their regular water breaks. Drink water regularly, even if you are not thirsty, to avoid becoming dehydrated. Have a shady spot nearby to take frequent breaks as well. 

If your pet joins you outdoors, bring plenty of drinking water for them as well. A collapsible bowl for them to drink from is recommended to make it easier for them to stay hydrated. Don’t let heat take out your furry sidekick. Remember asphalt and dark pavement can be very hot on pets’ feet that can burn or blister on hot pavement. Walk your pet on grass whenever possible and avoid walks on hot pavement or during the peak heat of the day.

During extreme heat, Austin Animal Services Office urges pet owners to take precautions to keep animals safe. In accordance with Texas Health and Safety Code Subchapters 821.101 and 821.102, animals must not be left unattended in vehicles or confined outdoors without adequate shade, shelter, ventilation, and access to clean water. Exposure to high temperatures can lead to serious injury or death, and pet owners are legally responsible for preventing cruel conditions. Always ensure they have a cool, safe environment and try to bring pets indoors during peak heat. 

Cooling Centers

The City of Austin and Travis County have Cooling Centers available during the summer months for people to escape the heat and cool down during the hottest part of the day. City facilities, including branches of Austin Public Library and Parks and Recreation’s rec centers, can be used as Cooling Centers. 

These facilities are meant to serve as a temporary reprieve from the heat, during normal operating hours. Service animals are allowed in City facilities.  

To review the current list of Cooling Centers, locations and hours of operations, please visit: austintexas.gov/alerts.   

Several locations offer extended hours during periods of excessive heat.

Please Note: The published list is current as of today but changes frequently. Please always check austintexas.gov/alerts for the most up-to-date Cooling Center information and/or call to verify hours before arriving.   

CapMetro offers complimentary rides to Cooling Centers for anyone who needs a ride and may not be able to pay the fare. Community members need to notify the operator when they board that they are traveling to a Cooling Center.

Car Safety

Look before you lock! Never leave people or pets unattended in a closed car on a warm day. Temperatures in vehicles climb much faster and can reach dangerous temperatures in only a few minutes. On an 80-degree day outside, temperatures inside a vehicle can reach 94 degrees in two minutes and more than 120 degrees in less than an hour. Cracking the windows open does not significantly reduce how high the temperature inside the vehicle can reach.  

To avoid leaving a child, pet, or someone else in the back seat of your vehicle, place something in the back seat you will need upon arriving to your destination like a purse, bag, or phone. This will force you to retrieve it from the back seat and remind you to look before you lock. 

Water Safety

Drowning is the leading cause of death in children under 5 years old. Know the signs of drowning to know when to spring into action. 

• Head is low in the water, tilted back, mouth is open
• Hyperventilating or gasping
• Glassy eyes or unable to focus
• No response when asked if they are “OK”
• Hair is over their forehead or eyes
• Appear vertical in the water
• Trying to swim but making no progress
• Trying to roll onto their back
• Appear to be climbing an invisible ladder

Have a phone nearby for emergencies anytime children are in the water, but do not talk, text, or use your phone during their play. Assign a designated water watcher who will not be distracted by any devices, books, or other tasks.  

If a child goes missing, check the water first.   

Learning CPR can save lives. Drowning victims who receive CPR or rescue breathing before EMS arrives have a higher chance of survival.  
 
In open water like lakes, creeks, rivers, or the ocean, everyone should wear life vests.   

Conserve Energy  

Austin Energy is in direct contact with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas — or ERCOT — as they manage conditions on the statewide grid. Though there is the potential for tight grid conditions because of the heat, ERCOT expects there to be enough power supply to meet demand. More information on grid conditions can be found at ercot.com. 

Austin Energy is closely monitoring the weather and is prepared to respond as needed.

• The utility prepares year-round for extreme weather, including summer conditions.
• Austin Energy’s power plants are constantly maintained and monitored to ensure performance during extreme summer conditions.
• The utility performs inspections and upgrades circuits that may be more susceptible to weather issues.
• Austin Energy crews and staff are prepared, supplied and ready to respond.

Ways to keep it cool and save  

• Raise thermostats by a few degrees.
• Use ceiling fans to help circulate air. Turn ceiling fans off in unused rooms.
• For central air and heat, do not close vents in unused rooms. This could increase pressure and cause duct leaks. For window units, close off unused rooms.
• Close shades and curtains on windows hit by direct sunlight to prevent heat from getting indoors.
• Avoid turning on the oven during the hottest time of the day.  
• Unplug appliances, chargers and electronic devices when not in use. They use energy even when they are turned off. Find more conservation tips at austinenergy.com/summer.

Conserve Water

Austin remains under Stage 2 Drought conditions, and it is important to understand the water supply is stressed from years of drought. Stage 2 means automatic irrigation system usage and hose-watering is limited to one day per week. Know your home’s assigned watering day just like you know your trash day.  

Conserving water is an important part of maintaining our ecosystems and public water services. Despite recent rains, water levels remain low in the Lower Colorado River Basin and Lakes Travis and Buchanan. These lakes are the source of our water supply. Join your neighbors in helping your community and wallet by adhering to the mandatory watering days and times. Find your watering days and times here.

Mosquito Protection & West Nile Virus

Mosquitoes are present in Central Texas year-round but are most active from May through November. Mosquitoes may harbor several diseases that contribute to outbreaks of Zika, West Nile, dengue fever, encephalitis and canine heartworm. The first positive mosquito pool for West Nile virus has already been detected in Austin-Travis County. While no human cases have been reported, this shows the West Nile virus is in our community.  

There are steps you can take to help control mosquito populations and prevent or reduce potential outbreaks.  

Drain standing water. Mosquitoes grow in standing water. They breed quickly and can lay hundreds of eggs in just a few days. Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover or throw out containers that hold water, including tires, pet water bowls, containers and buckets, planters, toys like water tables or kiddie pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, trash containers, and rain barrels. 

Apply insect repellent. Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents with one of the active ingredients below. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven to be safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding people. Repellents include DEET, Picaridin (known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outside the US), IR3535, Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), Para-menthane-diol (PMD), and 2-undecanone. Find the right insect repellent for you by using the EPA’s search tool.  

Wear protective clothing. Wear long pants and long sleeves when you’re outside, especially in places with high mosquito activity.   

To report a mosquito problem, call 3-1-1 or complete a Service Request online. 

Effective control of mosquito populations helps prevent or reduce these outbreaks and enhances the enjoyment for everyone during outdoor activities. 

For more heat safety tips and other weather-related tips, please visit ReadyCentralTexas.org.

###