Austin-Travis County EMS first responders carry a 75-year-old man to an ambulance during a 102-degree day in July 2023 outside Austin Wrench A Part in Del Valle. The man passed out while searching for car parts in the sun and told first responders he hadnt eaten or drank any water all day.People who grew up in Texas know summers are hot.
“People often are unaware that heat is starting to cause problems, and, by the time they're aware of it, it can be too late,” said Kristie Ebi, a professor at the University of Washington Center for Health and the Global Environment.Gregory Wellenius, an epidemiologist and professor on environmental health at Boston University, advises people to make a plan for how they will cope with extreme heat — or as he calls it “a personal cooling strategy.
“Maybe you go jogging. Try to do that in the morning hours and the late evening hours when it's cooler, or maybe you can do it indoors at a gym rather than outdoors in the middle part of the day,” he said.. Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothes such as those made from cotton or linen if you have to go outside. A wide-brimmed hat can help protect your face and neck.Never leave people or pets in a hot vehicle.