Beat the Heat

Cooling Centers

When temperatures rise to potentially dangerous levels, it is important to stay inside an air-conditioned space whenever possible. There are currently over 30 San Antonio locations that are open to the public as cooling centers. Here is a map of their locations:

Cooling Center Locations
Trip Planning - Via's Personal Trip Planner can help you find a bus route to your nearest cooling center.

Tips to Beat the Heat

As temperatures begin to rise, be especially mindful of summertime activity, whether playing or working. To prevent heat-related illness:

Stay Cool

Conduct outdoor work or exercise in the early morning or evening when it is cooler. Outdoor workers should drink plenty of water or electrolyte-replacement beverages and take frequent breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned facility. Those unaccustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment need to start slowly and gradually increase heat exposure over several weeks.
Check on the elderly. Take the initiative to visit seniors to look for signs of heat-related illnesses. It takes the elderly nearly twice the time of younger people to return to core body temperature after exposure to extreme temperatures. A phone call to the frail elderly is not sufficient to determine the condition of the senior or the home.
Wear light-colored, loose fitting clothing that permits the evaporation of perspiration.
NEVER children, senior citizens or pets unattended in a vehicle, even for a short period of time!
A wide-brimmed hat helps prevent sunburn as well as heat-related illness. Sunscreen also protects from the sun’s harmful rays and reduces the risk of sunburn.
If the house is not air-conditioned, seek accommodations in air-conditioned facilities during the heat of the day: malls, movie theaters, libraries, etc.
Take frequent cool baths or showers if your home is not air-conditioned.
Electric fans should only be used in conjunction with an air conditioner. A fan can't change the temperature of a room; it can only accelerate air movement, and will accelerate the body's overheating.

Stay Hydrated

Drink more than usual and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
Avoid alcohol or liquids containing high amounts of sugar.
Make sure your family, friends and neighbors are drinking enough water.

Stay Informed

Check your local news for extreme heat warnings and safety tips.
Keep informed by listening to local weather and news.
Keep your friends, family and neighbors aware of weather and heat safety information. For more information on extreme heat, visit the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.

First Aid for Heat-Related Illnesses

Extreme heat brings with it the possibility of heat-related illnesses. The following table lists these illnesses, their symptoms, and the first aid treatment.

Sunburn

Symptoms
Skin redness and pain, possible swelling, blisters, fever, headaches

First Aid

Take a shower using soap to remove oils that may block pores, preventing the body from cooling naturally.

Apply dry, sterile dressings to any blisters, and get medical attention.

Heat Cramps

Symptoms
Painful spasms, usually in leg and abdominal muscles; heavy sweating

First Aid

Get the victim to a cooler location.

Lightly stretch and gently massage affected muscles to relieve spasms.

Give sips of up to a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. (Do not give liquids with caffeine or alcohol.)

Discontinue liquids, if victim is nauseated.

Heat Exhaustion

Symptoms
Heavy sweating but skin may be cool, pale, or flushed. Weak pulse. Normal body temperature is possible, but temperature will likely rise. Fainting or dizziness, nausea, vomiting, exhaustion, and headaches are possible.

First Aid

Get victim to lie down in a cool place.
Loosen or remove clothing.
Apply cool, wet clothes.
Fan or move victim to air-conditioned place.
Give sips of water if victim is conscious.
Be sure water is consumed slowly.
Give half glass of cool water every 15 minutes.
Discontinue water if victim is nauseated.
Seek immediate medical attention if vomiting occurs.

Heat Stroke

A severe medical emergency

Symptoms
High body temperature (105+); hot, red, dry skin; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid shallow breathing. Victim will probably not sweat unless victim was sweating from recent strenuous activity. Possible unconsciousness.

First Aid

Call 9-1-1 or emergency medical services, or get the victim to a hospital immediately. Delay can be fatal.
Move victim to a cooler environment.
Removing clothing Try a cool bath, sponging, or wet sheet to reduce body temperature.
Watch for breathing problems.
Use extreme caution.
Use fans and air conditioners.

Resources

Organization	Phone	Details
City Public Service (CPS) Customer Service Line	210.353.2222	Financial assistance with utility bills
Bexar County Dept. of Community Resources	210.335.6770	Utility Assistance Energy Crisis Program
San Antonio Water System (SAWS)	210.704.7297	Financial planning assistance with water bills
City of San Antonio Center for Working Families	210.207.7830	Financial assistance
Humane Society San Antonio	210.226.7461	Tips for your pets
City of San Antonio Animal Care Services 4710 State Highway 151 San Antonio, 78227	210.207.4PET	Tips for your pets
City of San Antonio 311 Line	3.1.1	Report Animal Cruelty
City of San Antonio Dept. of Human Services 106 S. St. Mary's, 7th Floor San Antonio, TX 78205	210.207.7172	Information on Senior Services
211 Texas/United Way Help Line	2.1.1 option 1	Seniors, 60+ years, may request a portable fan, PROJECT COOL
Alamo Service Connection Bexar Area Agency on Aging	210.477.3275	Cool Neighbor Campaign-Door Hanger and Thermometer explaining Heat Related signs and symptoms. Information and referrals for seniors over age 60 for utility assistance and home weatherization programs

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Stay Cool

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