The summer heat is scorching San Antonio, and with it comes a wide range of health risks to both humans and animals.
But the city, the state, TPR and NPR collectively offer a wide range of solutions to endure the heat and its dangers so everyone can safely enjoy warm weather activities.
Review the FAQ below for some useful tips. Some are common sense. Some are things most Texans do already. Nevertheless, it's worth taking a moment to ensure that everyone in your life adheres to these safe and healthy routines throughout the summer months.
I looked at the forecast, and the temperatures look extreme. What should I do first?
For yourself, take cool showers. Always wear light-colored clothing. Drink plenty of water and stay cool with spray bottles.
If you're working outside, stay hydrated. Take rest breaks in the shade or a cool location.
Those most at risk during the extreme heat are adults over 65, kids, and pets. So check on elderly relatives, friends and neighbors to ensure they are keeping cool too.
For pets that are usually outside, leave them plenty of fresh water — add ice if possible — and ensure they have well-ventilated shelter away from the heat. Keep in mind that the usual doghouse can be dangerous in the summertime.
Know the warning symptoms and what to do if you or a loved one shows signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Heat related deaths and illnesses are preventable. Learn how: https://t.co/TOJJDsnzFS pic.twitter.com/b315Pmnu5d
— CDC (@CDCgov) June 15, 2024
How do I know if older adults or kids are in trouble?
NPR explains that "warning signs of heat exhaustion include fatigue, extreme thirst, nausea, headache, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, muscle cramping and just a general sense of lightheadedness. The warning signs for heatstroke ... include all the above but also confusion, vomiting, seizures, cardiovascular collapse or passing out and a lack of sweating."
If an older adult or child exhibits any of these signs, cool the child rapidly with cool water — NOT an ice bath — and call 911 immediately.
Also, people who take drugs for blood pressure issues may also be at risk for heat related illnesses, so keep an eye on them too.
Check with your doctor about particular drugs and health conditions that may pose extra issues during hotter months. And don't leave your prescriptions in the car on hot days.
How do I know if pets are in trouble?
Pets most at risk from overheating include young, elderly or overweight pets, those with a short muzzle or those with thick or dark-colored coats.
NPR adds that pets with "flat or pushed-in faces, like pugs or Persian cats, may [also] have extra trouble managing heat."
Heat stress warning signs include excessive thirst, heavy panting, glazed eyes, vomiting, lethargy, dizziness, or rapid heartbeat.
NPR advises to check their temperature rectally. If above 105 degrees, try to slowly lower their body temperature down to 103. Run cool water over them, apply cool towels — cool, NOT cold — or let them lick ice cubes. Fan them too. Don't rush the process.
Also, check with your vet if your pet really needs that summer haircut. The fur coats on some breeds actually protect them from the sun. Ask about pet-specific sunscreen too.
How else can we keep pets safe in hot weather?
Keep in mind that it is illegal for dogs to ride unsecured in the back of trucks, and these pets face the same heat stroke risks as pets locked in cars. They’re also at risk of burned paws and accidental falls during transport.
On a day that's only 85 degrees, the Texas Department of Public Safety explains that that the surface temperature of asphalt can reach 140 degrees, and it doesn't even need to be that hot to burn the feet of kids or pets within seconds of them making contact.
NPR advises pet owners to use the back of their hands to test how hot the pavement is. Limit dog walks to the early morning or in the evening. Consider using dog booties.
It seems sensible to take pets into lakes, a pool, or to the beach to cool off. But watch over them when around water. Most pets are not natural swimmers, and any pet can easily tire and drown.
Instead, NPR suggests providing them with a kiddie pool to splash in or a lawn sprinkler to run through. Or just douse them with water from a garden hose — once the water is running cold.
What if I see a child or pet locked in a car?
A shaded parking spot offers little to no protection on a sunny day, and cracking the window does very little to reduce the temperature inside a parked car. It takes only ten minutes for the interior of a car to reach 102 degrees on an average 85 degree day. In 30 minutes, the temperature can reach 120 degrees or more.
If you see a child or pet locked in a vehicle, jot down the vehicle’s description, including a license plate number, and call 911.
For pets, call Animal Care Services at 311.
How else can we help older adults dealing with the heat?
The United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County offers the 211-help line.
Seniors over 60 can call 211 to request a free boxed fan.
Other residents can also call to be directed to the nearest cooling center or receive resources on weatherization.
The help line is open 24/7. Spanish language and line language translation options are also available.
I'm not at home, and it's a really hot day. Does the city have places where I can cool off?
Cooling centers — including libraries, senior centers, and park community centers — are open for relief from the extreme heat. Find a list at SA.gov.
Other options can simply be any place inside: coffee shops, a movie theater, or one of the shopping malls.
What about risks of fire?
The San Antonio Fire Department fire safety tips are applicable year-round. The summer months also pose the risks of brush fires that can spread quickly.
First, smoke detectors should be installed in every room of the home. Remember to test all detectors to ensure they all work properly.
Next, ensure there are clear paths in the home so if there is a fire, firefighters can move swiftly through the rooms.
Always have a fire escape plan. Every room should have at least two escape routes.
Regularly check on vulnerable neighbors and relatives to ensure they are prepared too.
For more fire safety tips, visit firesafesa.com/safety-tips.
How does summer heat affect my automobile or truck? How can I drive safely in this weather?
The Texas Department of Public Safety advises drivers to check their batteries, engines and tires before heading out on long summer drives.
The heat can erode the battery's ability to hold a charge and provide power. Fuel can't circulate well in an overheated engine and could make it harder to start.
The high temperatures also affect tire pressure, which could wear down and otherwise shorten the life of the tires. It can also put the tires at risk of blowouts.
The rubber in windshield wipers can also erode in the heat. They'll be needed during the rare but sometimes severe rainstorms in South Texas ... or when tropical weather moves into the region.
Also check the air conditioning system — especially the air filter and the refrigerant.
Finally, keep and update an emergency kit in the car, in case there are breakdowns or blowouts. Include a cell phone battery charger, a flashlight, jumper cables, a first aid kit, water and snacks. Ensure all drivers in your household have their own kits and know how to utilize their contents.
What else should I know about how the heat affects our lives?
Scientists continue to measure the intensifying degrees of punishment a warming world inflicts on our modern existence — internally and all around us.
For example, they've learned that the prevalence of gun violence rises alongside the temperatures. The extreme heat can also affect mental health, including intensifying mood disorders, leaving us stressed, worn down or depressed.
Academic teams are developing better understandings of urban heat islands, particularly in lower income parts of San Antonio, and how they diminish the quality of life for residents.
In 2021, the City of San Antonio partnered with The University of Texas at San Antonio to experiment with cool pavement — a water-based asphalt treatment that absorbs less heat and reflects more sunshine, as compared to traditional asphalt. The city explains that the treatment can help reduce evening temperatures after a hot day.
It adds that San Antonio was the first city in Texas to test the treatment. After trial period near the Hays Street Bridge, all 10 council districts have tried out the new approach.
Unsheltered people are among the residents most vulnerable to the relentless heat waves and its physiological effects. Community outreach workers are reaching out to unsheltered populations as the heat increases. The number of their heat-related illnesses — and their calls for medical assistance — always increase as the heat worsens.
Political leaders have advocated for federal mail carriers who need vehicles with air conditioning and free water bottles so they can safely complete their routes and their duties for our lives and businesses.
Finally, weather experts are learning more about the heat domes that can soar over huge regions of the U.S. The domes are often the reason for long stretches of dangerous days of heat. In June 2024, NPR published a useful explainer on the science behind heat domes.
