Staying Safe in the Texas Summer Heat: A Guide for Residents, Transplants, and Visitors

Texas summers are no joke, and with temperatures soaring above 105 degrees Fahrenheit, the summer heat here is not just uncomfortable, it can be deadly. Visitors are often suprised by how hot and humid our Great State is, but there are endless pluses and green flags that keep is here. Still however, whether you’re a lifelong Texan, a recent transplant adjusting to your first Gulf Coast heatwave, or a family visiting one of our bustling metro areas, it’s important to understand the risks and how to stay safe. At Sneed & Mitchell LLP, we’re not just passionate advocates in the courtroom, we care about keeping our communities informed and protected and hope this article of great assistance to you.

Understanding the Danger: Texas Heat By the Numbers

You see it on the local near each night from April through September, Texas cities ranks among the top states for heat-related illness and death in the United States. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), in 2022 alone, 279 Texans died from heat-related causes, marking our state as one of the highest numbers in the nation. The CDC Heat & Health Tracker also shows a sharp increase in emergency room visits across the State for heat exhaustion, particularly during June, July, and August.

Extreme heat indexes can cause serious health risks, including heat stroke, dehydration, kidney failure, and death. The people most vulnerable to these conditions children, elderly adults, outdoor workers, and individuals with chronic illness. If you or a loved one fall within this catagory it is extremely important to protect your health when outdoors this summer.

Major Texas Cities and Where to Find Local Heat Safety Resources

In each of Texas’s largest cities, the heat presents different challenges that locals need to pay attention to.

• Houston (Harris County): H-Town as one of the most humid cities in the country, and with frequent ozone days residents can find cooling center information through the Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management to help avoid the high temperatures.

• Dallas (Dallas County): Dallas sees really long stretches of dry, triple-digit heat. Helpful resources and heat alerts always posted on the Dallas County Health and Human Services website to help locals.

• Austin (Travis County): In the Texas Hill Country, Austin mixes humidity with high heat. The city also does a great job of assisting Austinites and visitors find shelter and hydration help via Travis County Emergency Services.

• San Antonio (Bexar County): The South Texas region is getting dryer as local heat indexes top 110 more frequently in the last ten years. Heat advisories and safety alerts are issued through Bexar County Emergency Management.

• Fort Worth (Tarrant County): As part of the DFW metroplex, Fort Worth offers cooling shelter access via Tarrant County Emergency Management.

Heat Stroke in Children: A Tragic and Preventable Threat

Every summer there are devastating stories about children left in hot cars, often unknowingly. In 2023, at least 24 children died in the U.S. after being left in a vehicle, with Texas having the highest number. In minutes, a closed vehicle can raise to 125 degrees, and children can heat up 3-5 times faster than adults.

Likewise, there have been children who have sustained substantial heat-stroke after being left in daycare vans or school buses. In 2021, a 3-year-old left in a daycare transport vehicle in Houston died tragically after hours had passed before he was discovered. These mental lapses are not accidents, they are systematic carelessness, and require accountability.

Another emerging issue is children being over pushed in sporting activities. Coaches in youth football or track sometimes hold practices outdoors in the peak.

What Are the Signs of Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke?

It’s important to know how to identify the signs of heat-related illness to save lives. The early signs of heat exhaustion include:

• Profuse sweating

• Dizziness or feeling faint

• Muscle cramps

• Nausea

• Pale, cool, or wet skin

If heat exhaustion goes unrecognized, it can progress to heat stroke, a life-threatening emergency that presents with:

• Body temperature higher than 103 degrees

• Red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating)

• Confusion or slurred speech

• Seizures or loss of consciousness

If you suspect a person is suffering heat stroke, call 911, move the person to a cool place, and cool the individual with wet cloths or fans immediately.

Protecting Outdoor Workers and Vulnerable Populations

Many Texans work outside in various industries, including agriculture, construction, landscaping, oil and gas, and many others. In serious heat waves, these outdoor workers are particularly vulnerable during extreme heat waves. In June of 2023, OSHA reported a spike in heat-related complaints from Texas' workers, which is an alarming indication that the implementation of protective legislation is not being followed.

While federal law requires employers to provide water, rest, and shade, someties these meaures are simply not enough. The practice of reporting unsafe work conditions includes anything effecting a workers healthy and safety, and Texas heatwaves fall into this catagory. You have a right to report how the intense wearther is effecting you and your co-workers without suffering retailiation. If adverse actions do occur, a wrongful termination or retaliation attorney will be able to assist you.

Safety Practices for Managing the Texas Heat

Whether you are headed to a barbecue in Austin, visiting the San Antonio Riverwalk, or taking the kids to the splash pad in Dallas, you should keep in mind the following safety considerations:

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate: Adults should drink at least 8–10 cups of water, more during sweaty activities. For children, regular hydration during hot weather is very important, especially when they are sweating.

Dress appropriately for the heat: Wear loose, light-colored clothing that permits sweat to evaporate.

Avoid being active when it is hottest outside: If possible their outdoor play should happen before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m.

Use sun protection: Remember to apply SPF 30+ sunscreen frequently (at least every two hours). Wear hats and/or sunglasses.

Know your limits: If you start feeling weak, dizzy or confused, get out of the heat right away and cool off.

Staying Informed: Resources to Use for Real-Time Heat Advisories

Maintaining your connection to the world around you can help you to avoid unexpected danger. Below are tools to alert you to heat emergencies and education:

• National Weather Service – Texas Heat Advisories

• Texas Department of State Health Services – Heat Safety

• Ready.gov Extreme Heat Safety Tips

The Summer Months Should be Safe

Summer in Texas should be about family memories, long daylight hours, and warm breezes; not stopping by the hospital, grieving a tragedy or a legal fight. In the days, months and years ahead we hope every resident and visitor will find ways to stay alert, stay informed of heat dangers, and take reasonable steps toward preventing harm to themselves and their families.

If the unthinkable happens, and you have a family member who suffers an injury or a life is lost due to someone else's failure to protect them from heat dangers, you do not need to go through it alone. Sneed & Mitchell LLP can be right alongside you in the fight to demand accountability and obtain the justice and compensation you likely deserve.

How Sneed & Mitchell LLP Can Help

At Sneed & Mitchell LLP, we advocate for Texas families and we hold people accountable for what they do and what they don't do. If someone is injured due to a heat injury, whether it's a daycare that left a child in a van, a coach that failed to pay attention to heat protocol or a property owner that failed to provide safe conditions, we are there to help.

We have represented parents, workers and families in grief throughout Texas. We understand that heat related tragedy carries emotional, medical, and legal burdens. We work exceptionally hard to uncover failures, demand justice, and secure financial compensation to help our clients recover or find closure and continue with their lives.

We offer:

• Free consultations in English or Spanish

• Virtual and in-person appointments

• Contingency-based representation (you pay nothing unless we win)

Whether you are in Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Fort Worth or any neighboring county, our team is here to serve and assist you, your family and loved ones. Call Sneed & Mitchell LLP today at (713) 800-6676 or go online to schedule a free consultation.