Beating the Texas heat: staying safe when it’s over 100°

Sugar Land summers are no joke — and heat illness sends thousands of Texans to emergency rooms every year. A few simple habits keep the whole family safe when the heat index climbs past 100°.

Simple habits that help

• Drink before you’re thirsty. By the time you feel thirsty, you’re already behind. Keep water within reach all day, especially for children and older adults.
• Shift outdoor time. Yard work, exercise, and play are safest before 10 AM or after 6 PM.
• Never wait in a parked car. Interior temperatures can rise 20° in just 10 minutes — even with a window cracked.
• Check on neighbors. Older adults and people on certain medications feel heat differently. A quick call or knock can make a real difference.

When to take it seriously

Heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, or a headache after time in the heat can be signs of heat exhaustion — move to a cool place, sip water, and rest. Confusion, a racing pulse, or hot skin without sweating can signal heat stroke, which is an emergency: call 911.

This article is general information, not medical advice. If you have questions about heat and your health — or your medications — bring them to your next visit, or call us at (281) 265-1800.