Texas will see record high temperatures this week, even some of the hottest weather ever seen in May in recorded Texas history. Severe heat is dangerous and can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke. Extreme heat is the #1 cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S.
Here are some tips to stay safe in this extreme heat, plus cooling center locations in San Antonio and surrounding counties.
How To Stay Safe In Extreme heat
NEVER leave children, disabled people, or pets in a car during a heat wave or in the summer!
Hydrate: Drink lots of water
-
- Drink plenty of water even if you do not feel thirsty.
- Carry a water bottle with you when you are outside.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can dehydrate you.
- Sports drinks with electrolytes are good for hydration, but avoid too many sugary drinks.
Stay inside
-
- If at all possible, stay inside in an air-conditioned space, like a home, office, community center, public library, or cooling center (see list below).
- Use fans to cool off if you don’t have air conditioning and go to a cooling center during the hottest part of the day (late afternoon and early evening).
- Take cool showers to lower your body temperature.
- Keep blinds or curtains closed to block the sun.
Stay cool
-
- If you have to be outside, wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing.
- Take breaks in the shade as much as possible.
- Bring a spray bottle to mist your face.
Check in on your neighbors or family members
-
- Elderly people, pregnant women, babies, children, and chronically ill people can be more at risk during extreme weather.
OTHER TIPS
-
- Sign up for emergency text alerts from the City of San Antonio
- Make a plan for transportation
- Check bus routes, ask a friend or family member for a ride, or make a plan to get to a cooling center in case you need to go.
- Always bring all pets inside during extreme heat!
- Make sure they have plenty of water.
- Early mornings or late evenings are the safest, coolest times to go outdoors if you need to.
Warning signs: Heat exhaustion and heat stroke
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are two of the most serious heat-related health problems. Here are warning signs of each and what to do if you experience them.
Heat exhaustion: If you experience one or more of these symptoms, you need to get out of the heat and cool off as soon as possible. Go inside an air-conditioned building or into the shade, drink water, put ice packs on your neck or armpits, take a cold shower or sit in a bathtub full of cold water. Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke if untreated!
- Muscle cramps
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Rapid breathing
- High body temperature (101°F to 104°)
Heat stroke: If you or someone around you is experiencing these symptoms, call 911 or go to an emergency room immediately. Heat stroke is a dangerous emergency, and it is important to get medical care right away! Heat stroke can be deadly:
-
- Red skin
- Dry skin
- Unable to sweat
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Difficulty with speech or slurred (unclear) speech
- Confusion
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Aggression or agitation
- High body temperature (104°+)
How Can We Help
Community First is committed to supporting our community as we deal with extreme weather conditions.
Member Services: 1-800-434-2347
Member Services: 1-855-607-7827 | Service Coordination: 210-358-6403
(STAR Kids and STAR+PLUS Members can also contact their Service Coordinators Directly.)
Member Services: 1-833-434-2347
Member Services: 1-888-512-2347
Member Services: 1-800-434-2347