Beat the Heat: City of San Antonio shares extreme heat safety reminder

Published on May 22, 2024

SAN ANTONIO (May 22, 2024) – The City of San Antonio reminds all residents to prepare now to stay cool during extreme heat. A top priority for the City is ensuring all residents, especially vulnerable populations, and pets are safe during a heat event.

Places to stay cool are open to provide the community relief from the expected high heat. These locations will remain open during normal operating hours and include libraries, senior centers, and park community centers. 

For a list of the City of San Antonio’s places to stay cool, visit: San Antonio Office of Emergency Management. For more information, call 311 (210-207-6000). Residents can also consider going to a local store, business, or mall to stay cool as well.

METRO HEALTH

Who is at risk?
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.

What can you do?
Staying cool, drinking plenty of water and staying informed are critical precautions to protect oneself. Additionally, people should call and check on their neighbors who may be at high risk and ensure they have access to heat relief and hydration.

During the summer months, outside workers should take extra precautions. Outside workers should drink plenty of water, take rest breaks, find shade or a cool location, dress for the heat and check on their coworkers. 

Heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat strokes are possible health effects. Symptoms of a heat stroke include high body temperature (103°F or higher) hot, red, dry or damp skin, fast, strong pulse, headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion or losing consciousness. If a person exhibits any of these signs, move the person to a cooler place and call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Do not put yourself in harm’s way and stay cool. Use cool rags, cold packs, encourage the person to drink water, fan the individual, and inform the person of status while waiting for EMS. 

Never leave children or pets alone in vehicles. If you see a child or pet locked in a hot car or in the back of a truck, act immediately. Write down the car’s description (including a license plate number). Call 911 immediately. 

If regarding a pet, call Animal Care Services at 311 (210-207-6000). Per City ordinance, both Police and Animal Care Officers have the right to break a car’s window if a child or animal is endangered inside a vehicle.

Keep Cool
Stay in an air-conditioned place as much as possible. Take cool showers or use a spray bottle to mist yourself with cool water and wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing. Limit the use of your oven to maintain a cooler temperature in your home. Identify places close to home to keep you cool.

Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty. Remember to avoid alcohol or liquids containing large amounts of sugar or caffeine.

Be Prepared
Check local news for weather forecasts, extreme heat alerts and preparedness tips to safely plan outdoor activities. 

Animal Care Services

Prepare your Pets
Extreme heat can easily put your pet at risk for overheating. The following are some tips to help pets beat the heat:

• Always make sure your pets have fresh water and shaded shelter. 
• Shade is not just a good idea for outdoor pets. It’s the law. As is access to fresh water and shelter beyond the all-day available shade. Chain tethers of any type are not allowed at any time of year. It is the law and will have legal consequences if not followed.
• Pay close attention to young, elderly, overweight pets, those with short muzzle, or those with thick or dark-colored coats as they are at a higher risk of overheating. 
• If your pet shows symptoms of heat stress, like excessive thirst, heavy panting, glazed eyes, vomiting, restlessness, lethargy, fever, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, profuse drooling, and unconsciousness, gradually lower their body temperature and get them to a vet immediately. 

CPS Energy

CPS Energy is closely monitoring the expected high-power demand due to the extreme hot weather, and its power plants are prepared to serve our community. 

Energy Saving Tips
CPS Energy reminds customers they can conserve energy during the summer months and peak demand times to help them save money on their bills and lower demand on the overall state grid. Tips can be found on the Energy Saving Tips webpage. 

Energy Updates
To stay informed, customers are encouraged to sign up for Energy Alerts or call (210) 353-2222 to provide their emergency contact information for the utility to reach them in the case of an emergency.

Assistance Programs 
CPS Energy has a variety of cost-saving and general assistance programs designed to help qualifying customers.

San Antonio Water Systems (SAWS)

While the expected high temperatures won’t impact indoor water service, Stage 2 outdoor watering rules are in place due to Edwards Aquifer levels. Watering outdoors during the week is allowed only between 7-11 a.m. and 7-11 p.m. on your designated day. Watering with a hand-held hose is still allowed any time on any day. More information is available at saws.org/stage2.

Resources

Places to Stay Cool
When temperatures rise to potentially dangerous levels, it is important to stay inside an air-conditioned space whenever possible. There are currently more than 40 San Antonio locations that are open to the public as places to stay cool. The City maintains an interactive map of places to stay cool at SA.gov. These include:

• City Libraries
• Senior Centers
• Community Centers

Additional places to stay cool include the City’s following free facilities:

• Splash Pads
• Swimming Pools

For locations, visitor information, and hours of operation, please visit the Parks & Recreation Department.

Project Cool
A collaborative between the San Antonio Department of Human Services (DHS) and Fire Department, along with Catholic Charities of San Antonio, Inc., United Way of San Antonio & Bexar County, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and other community or corporate partners. 

• Provides heat relief to senior residents 60 years of age and older across the city through donation and free distribution of 20-inch box fans to seniors in need. 
• Fans can be donated to any San Antonio Fire Station or the St. Stephens CARE Center on 2127 Zarzamora Street.
• Seniors who are 60 years of age and older, current San Antonio residents, that show critical need for a box fan are eligible to receive a fan free of charge.
• Qualified seniors may call 2-1-1 (United Way Helpline) and select option 1 to request a box fan. Supply is limited by donations received during the summer.

CPS Energy/Casa Verde Program
CPS Energy's SaveNow Case Verde Weatherization Program helps income-qualifying homeowners and renters reduce energy loss (and costs) with free energy efficiency improvements.

For more information, please call (210) 353-CASA (2272).

Home Rehab Programs
Home Rehab Programs through the City of San Antonio are offered to residents with low-to-moderate income. Repairs through these programs aim to address health, safety, code and/or accessibility issues that homeowners may be experiencing.  For more information, please call (210) 207-7293.

Weather Information
Residents can visit the National Weather Service for the most current weather conditions at weather.gov/sanantonio. 

For more information about how you can Beat the Heat, visit SA.gov or call 311 (210-207-6000). The City of San Antonio also recommends that residents register for Alert SA to stay informed on local emergencies.