TEMPLE, Texas — As Central Texans warm up to the idea of triple-digit heat this summer, we are all looking for ways to stay cool and safe.
Below, you'll find some tips on how to protect yourself, your pets, vehicle, A/C, and more, in the scorching temperatures.
First -- Know the difference between "heat exhaustion" and "heat stroke"
It is important that you drink plenty of water and stay hydrated if you find yourself out-and-about in this hot weather. Otherwise, you risk the possibility of a heat illness.
Dr. Robb Dies with Express ER in Temple says on a typical hot summer day, he can expect to treat two to five patients relating to heat illness.
"Heat injury sneaks up on people and it is very dangerous," Dies said. "People who come in with even moderate heat injury, they feel pretty bad, but they think they're okay, and we see kidney failure, severe dehydration. Heat illness can really sneak up on you."
Those heat illnesses include heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
For heat exhaustion, people will start to have some headaches, maybe some nausea and vomiting. They get really tired or weak. They may get a little anxious and as thing progress, their heartbeat speeds up. They're sweating heavily. At that point, they need to lie down in the shade or the air conditioning, drink some water, get a cool compress or cool bath and definitely rise and hydrate.
As the heat exposure progresses on to a heat stroke, they will still have some of those symptoms of heat exhaustion. It may progress to rapid heartbeat or pulse, extremely, extremely thirsty, a drawn, swollen tongue, disoriented, dizzy, slurred speech and maybe seizures or a coma. They may still be sweating but their skin may feel deceptively cool because their body's working. That body temperature may be above 103. At that point, people need to call 911.
If you need a place to cool down, below is a list of available cooling centers across Central Texas.
Avoiding hot car deaths in Texas
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), parents or guardians should never leave a child alone in or around a car, and should make it a routine to check the front and the back seat every time they leave the car.
It's also important to note that it is illegal in Texas to knowingly leave a child younger than the age of seven in a car unattended for longer than five minutes, according to Penal Code Chapter 22.10.
According to DSHS, it can also be very beneficial for parents or guardians to teach children to never play in or around cars and to call 911 if you come across an unattended child in or around a car.
The DSHS offers multiple resources for hyperthermia, heat stroke and hot car death prevention. If you would like to browse and sign up for reminders, visit here.
How to keep your pets safe during the hot summer months
Every pup loves a nice walk outside, but during these summer months it's time to start re-thinking when you take your furry friends out for a stroll.
Our pets feel this heat just like we do. So, if you own one, make sure to be aware of a few simple steps to avoid heat issues such as walking them at sunrise or sunset hours or being mindful about their water in-take.
When is the best time to run your A/C?
As Texans brace for the summer heat, we all want stay cool without racking up a costly energy bill. One viewer wanted to know whether or not homeowners should give their A/C unit a break in the afternoon hours to save money and energy this summer.
Does it save money to run your central heat and air two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening, and is it safe for your central heat and air to do so?
No, you shouldn't run your air conditioner for two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening. Our experts say to keep it at one consistent temperature to avoid putting a strain on the unit.
"The system will run harder to try and catch up with that lost ground," said Francisco Chavez, Residential Service Manager at Lochridge-Priest, Inc. "If you turn your thermostat off between 12 and 5 when you get home from work, and then you are asking it to get down to 72 degrees from 80, it's going to run nonstop. It's going to be harder on the system to try and catch up than it is to maintain, say 74 all day."
How to protect your car in triple digit heat
Driving this summer doesn't have to be a bummer, as long as you get your car serviced. Preventative measures can be taken to avoid ending up on the side of the road.
Experts say you want to focus on "BET," or your vehicle's battery, engine and tires. They need to be checked by you or a trusted mechanic before you head on the road.
Along with those steps, maintain your A/C and keep an eye on the liquids coming out of it. Clear is good, but anything else indicates something it wrong.
If you are traveling a distance this summer, remember to bring back-up water in case you get stranded.
How to maintain your yard during extreme heat
When temperatures are this high, it's time to rethink how you mow your lawn.
While a low-cut, manicured lawn might seem ideal, you might be doing your yard a disservice if you cut it low. Depending on the type of grass you have, experts recommend letting your grass grow to between 3 and 5 inches during the summer.
"It helps keep the ground cooler," said Grace Wilson, operations manager for Cathey's Tree Service.
When it comes to watering, water your grass in the morning or evening to give time for the water to make it down to the root system without evaporating.