City Cooling Centers are open through the weekend and into next week

Published on July 07, 2022

SAN ANTONIO (July 7, 2022) – Air temperatures are forecasted to reach over 103 degrees this weekend, the City of San Antonio cooling centers will be operating their normal posted hours through the weekend and into next week to provide relief from the heat. Community members can visit the San Antonio Office of Emergency Management website for a map and listing of cooling centers. VIA continues to offer free transportation to cooling centers and their buses are air conditioned.
 
With the heat indexes expected to reach a possible 109 degrees, the public is encouraged to use the following heat safety measures:

1. Limit outdoor activity (Outdoor job sites: Take breaks in the shade as often as possible).
2. Stay hydrated – drink plenty of water
3. Check on the elderly and those with medical conditions
4. Don’t leave child or a pet in the car

During times of extreme heat, it is important to stay cool, either by going to a designated cooling center or staying in locations that have air conditioning such as malls/shopping areas. For more information about heat illnesses and injury prevention and the cooling centers visit the Beat the Heat webpage.
 
As a reminder, adults, 65 and older; children, 4 and younger; and people with existing medical conditions, such as heart disease and those without access to air conditioning, are at higher risk on days with high temperatures and heat indexes. 
 
Drinking plenty of water is very important to protecting oneself from the sun. 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.
 
Heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are possible health effects. Warning signs of heat stroke include red, hot, and moist or dry skin, no sweating, a strong rapid pulse or a slow weak pulse, nausea, confusion or acting strangely. If a child exhibits any of these signs, cool the child rapidly with cool water (not an ice bath) and call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
 
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 its license plate number and call 911.  If the situation involves an animal, call Animal Care Services at 311. 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.                                    
 

ANIMAL CARE SERVICES

Persons who leave animals in vehicles could face animal cruelty charges if their pet sustains injury or death. Animal Care Services is urging residents to use the greatest of caution with pets outdoors as high outdoor temperatures can easily put pets at risk for fatal overheating. The following are some tips to help pets beat the heat:

• Fresh water and shelter should always be available for your pet.
• 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 are not allowed.
• Pets most at risk from overheating include young, elderly, or overweight pets, those with a short muzzle or those with thick or dark-colored coats.
• A shaded parking spot offers little to no protection on a sunny day and cracking the window “a little bit” does very little to reduce the temperature inside a parked car. In as little as ten minutes, it can reach more than 100 degrees inside a car.
• It is illegal for dogs to ride unsecured in the back of trucks and these pets face the same heat stroke risks as pets locked in cars - that’s in addition to the threat of burned paws and accidental falls in transport.
• Symptoms of heat stress include excessive thirst, heavy panting and drooling, glazed eyes, vomiting, restlessness, fever, dizziness, a rapid heartbeat and unconsciousness. For pets showing these signs, gradually lower their body temperature and get them to a vet immediately.
• Mind your pets around water - most pets are not natural swimmers and any pet can easily tire and drown.

BEXAR COUNTY

The Bexar County Fire Marshal reminds residents that the County is under a burn ban. Outdoor burning is not recommended at this time. Under the current high fire danger, a simple spark can ignite a grassfire. All residents are reminded to be diligent and careful to avoid any activities that may spark a fire.
 
For information on the burn ban, please visit www.bexar.org for information. To report a suspicious fire being used improperly in unincorporated Bexar County, please call 210-335-0300. 
 
Be sure to mind not just your pets but your livestock as well. For information on keeping cattle, horses, pigs and other livestock, safe in extreme temperatures, please visit www.bexar.org for information. 
 

CPS ENERGY

CPS Energy is keeping the community informed of alert levels for conserving energy to manage their energy bills and to be aware of any potential challenges with the state electric grid. A four-level, color-coded conservation awareness notification system is in use on outdoor billboards and on cpsenergy.com. CPS Energy continues to closely monitor the near record-breaking  high-power demand due to the current extreme heat and reminds customers they can save energy and money on their utility bills by following tips that can be found on the Energy Saving Tips webpage. Additionally, to stay informed, customers are encouraged to sign up for Energy Alerts and high bill alerts or call (210) 353-2222 to provide their emergency contact information for the utility to reach them in the case of an emergency. CPS Energy also reminds customers that BILL PAYMENT assistance options AND WAYS TO MANAGE BILLS, such as the Budget Payment Plan,  are available to help keep customers’ bills manageable.
 

SAWS

While the expected high temperatures won’t affect 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 www.saws.org/stage2.
 

VIA METROPOLITAN TRANSIT

VIA is offering fare-free trips to and from cooling centers as long as they remain open.
 
 
Residents can also contact the National Weather Service for the most current weather conditions at visit www.weather.gov/sanantonio for current hourly weather.