Beat the Heat
The summertime in Texas can be extremely hot, and the residents of Waco are no strangers to high temperatures and humidity.
In addition to being uncomfortable, the heat can be harmful and can cause heat-related illness and sometimes death. Each year, thousands of people across the country visit emergency rooms because of heat-related illnesses. The resources on this page can help you stay cool, stay safe, and stay informed.
Heat Safety Tips
Adults over 65, children under four, and people with existing medical conditions, such as heart disease and those without access to air conditioning are at highest risk on days with high temperatures.
- Stay in an air-conditioned place as much as possible.
- Take cool showers or use a spray bottle to mist yourself with cool water.
- Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing.
- Wear hats and sunscreen to reduce the risk of sunburn.
- Limit the use of your oven to maintain a cooler temperature in your home.
- Drink plenty of water before you feel thirsty.
- Avoid alcohol or liquids containing large amounts of sugar or caffeine.
- Check on neighbors to ensure they have access to heat relief and hydration.
- Check local news for weather forecasts and extreme heat alerts
If you are unable to keep your home cool, public places can offer air conditioning and and other activities:
The MyArea Map will highlight City locations near your address.
Never leave children, senior citizens or pets unattended in a vehicle, even for a short period of time!
Outside workers should:
- Drink plenty of water.
- Take rest breaks.
- Find shade or a cool location.
- Dress for the heat.
- Check on their coworkers.
Heat-Related Illness
Heat-related illness, like heat exhaustion or heat stroke, is when our bodies cannot properly cool themselves. Our bodies normally cool down by sweating, but during extreme heat a person’s body temperature might rise faster than it can cool itself down, sometimes causing severe illness or death.
Some factors that might increase your risk of developing a heat-related illness include:
- Obesity
- Having a fever
- Not drinking enough water
- Prescription drug use
- Heart disease
- Mental illness
- Poor circulation
- Sunburn
- Alcohol use
Heat Cramps
What to Look For
- Heavy sweating during intense exercise
- Muscle pain or spasms
What to Do
- Stop physical activity and move to a cool place
- Drink water or a sports drink
- Wait for cramps to go away before you do any more physical activity
Get medical help right away if:
- Cramps last longer than 1 hour
- You’re on a low-sodium diet
- You have heart problems
Heat Exhaustion
What to Look For
- Heavy sweating
- Cold, pale, and clammy skin
- Fast, weak pulse
- Nausea or vomiting
- Muscle cramps
- Tiredness or weakness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Fainting (passing out)
What to Do
- Move to a cool place
- Loosen your clothes
- Sip water
- Cool the person with whatever means available:
- put them in a cool tub of water or a cool shower,
- spray with a garden hose,
- sponge with cool water,
- fan while misting with cool water,
- place ice packs or cold, wet towels on the person's head, neck, armpits, and groin.
Get medical help right away if:
- You are throwing up
- Your symptoms get worse
- Your symptoms last longer than 1 hour
Heat Stroke
What to Look For
- High body temperature (103°F or higher)
- Hot, red, dry, or damp skin
- Fast, strong pulse
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Losing consciousness (passing out)
What to Do
If you think a person may be experiencing heatstroke, seek immediate medical help by calling 911.
Take immediate action to cool the overheated person while waiting for emergency treatment.
- Get the person into shade or indoors.
- Remove excess clothing.
- Cool the person with whatever means available:
- put them in a cool tub of water or a cool shower,
- spray with a garden hose,
- sponge with cool water,
- fan while misting with cool water,
- place ice packs or cold, wet towels on the person's head, neck, armpits, and groin.