Extreme Heat - Tips to Stay Cool

Houston summers are often filled with days of extreme heat and high humidity. The Heat Index measures how hot it feels when relative humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature. 

It is recommended that residents stay safe during hot weather using these tips and resources.

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What Should I Do?

The Houston Health Department recommends that residents take the following steps to keep themselves cool:

  • Increase water consumption. Drink lots of liquids even before getting thirsty, but avoid those with caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar because they can actually result in the loss of body fluid.
  • Conduct outdoor work or exercise early morning or evening when it is cooler.
  • Outdoor workers should drink plenty of water or electrolyte-replacement beverages and take frequent breaks in the shade.
  • Those unaccustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment need to start slowly and gradually increase heat exposure over several weeks.
  • Use a buddy system when working outside and let your body acclimate to the heat before you try to exercise.
  • Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing that permits the evaporation of perspiration.
  • Do not leave children, senior citizens, or pets unattended in a vehicle.
    • Look before you lock. Don't forget about sleeping children.
    • Cars heat up quickly even if the windows are slightly open.
  • A wide-brimmed hat helps prevent sunburns as well as heat-related illness. Sunscreen also protects from the sun's harmful rays and reduces the risk of sunburn. 

Stay Cool at Home

  • Pay attention to the temp in your home.
    • Use your stove and oven less to maintain a cooler temperature in your home.
    • Install window air conditioners securely and insulate if necessary.
    • Check air-conditioning ducts for proper insulation.
    • Weather-strip doors and stills to keep cool air in.
    • Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, or awnings.
  • Drink more water than usual even if you don't feel thirsty.
  • Use cooling towels.
  • Take cool baths or showers.
  • Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.

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Know the Signs and Take Action

Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Take action to avoid illness and loss of life.

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Condition Symptoms Response
Sunburn Skin redness and pain, possible swelling, blisters, fever, headaches - Sunburn raises body temperature and makes it more difficult to cool down.
- Take a shower using soap to remove oils that may block pores, preventing the body from cooling naturally.
- Apply dry, sterile dressings to any blisters, and get medical attention.
Heat Cramps Painful spasms, usually in leg and abdominal muscles; heavy sweating - Get the victim to a cooler location.
- Lightly stretch and gently massage affected muscles to relieve the spasms.
- Give sips of up to a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. (Do not give liquids with caffeine or alcohol.)
- Discontinue liquids, if victim is nauseated.
Heat Exhaustion Heavy sweating but skin may be cool, pale, or flushed. Weak pulse. Normal body temperature is possible, but temperature will likely rise. Fainting or dizziness, nausea, vomiting, exhaustion, and headaches are possible. - Get the victim to lie down in a cool place.
- Loosen or remove clothing.
- Apply cool, we clothes.
- Fan or move victim to air-conditioned place.
- Give sips of water if victim is conscious. Be sure water is consumed slowly.
- Give half glass of cool water every 15 minutes.
- Discontinue water if victim is nauseated.
- Seek immediate medical attention of vomiting occurs.
Heat Stroke High body temperature (105+); hot, red, dry skin; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid shallow breathing. Victim will probably not sweat unless victim was sweating from recent strenuous activity. Possible unconsciousness. - Call 911 or emergency medical services or get the victim to a hospital immediately. Delay can be fatal.
- Move victim to a cooler environment.
- Remove clothing.
- Try a cool bath, sponging, or wet sheet to reduce body temperature.
- Watch for breathing problems. - - Use extreme caution.
- Use fans and air conditioners.
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Protecting Your Pets

Extreme heat is as dangerous for your family pets as it is for us. Here are some steps to take to help ensure your pets stay safe this summer.

  • Never leave your pet in a hot vehicle, even for a few minutes. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees even with the windows cracked open.
  • Limit exercise on hot days. Exercise in the early morning or evening hours.
  • Walk your pet in the grass if possible, to avoid hot surfaces burning their paws. 
  • If your pet is outside, make sure they have access to shade and plenty of cool water.
  • Water safety is important for your furry friends. Do not leave pets unsupervised around a pool -  they aren't all good swimmers.
  • Watch your pets at a backyard barbecue. Keep them away from the grill and know that some food can be poisonous to them. Avoid raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate and products with artificial sweeteners.
  • Heat stroke is a common problem for pets in warmer weather. Dogs with short noses or snouts, like the boxer or bulldog, are especially prone to heat stroke, along with overweight pets, those with an extremely thick fur coat, or any pet with upper respiratory problems. Some of the signs of heat stroke in your pet are
    • Heavy panting and unable to calm down, even when lying down.  
    • Brick red gum color
    • Fast pulse rate
    • Unable to get up
  • If you suspect your pet has heat stroke,take their temperature rectally.
    • If the temperature is above 105 degrees, cool the animal down. The easiest way to do this is by using the water hose. Stop cooling the animal when the temperature reaches 103 degrees.
    • Bring your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible as heat stroke can lead to severe organ dysfunction and damage.
  • Open windows or doors are a temptation for pets to try to get outside. Keep all doors and unscreened windows closed and make sure screens are tightly secured.