From the Texas Panhandle throughout the northern part of the state, several cities will be seeing triple digits this week.
The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for major cities for July 27, including Amarillo, Lubbock, Dallas, Fort Worth and Wichita Falls, facing heat indices above 105.
The Fort Worth/Dallas weather service is forecasting temps won't dip below 100, with lows in the low 80s this week, and advising people to stay cool and hydrated.
Here's what you need to know about how to stay safe, keep your home cool and keep your pets hydrated during a heat advisory in Texas.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion, heatstroke
Heat exhaustion can present the following symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- Dizziness.
- Thirst.
- Nausea.
- Weakness.
If left untreated, heat exhaustion can
lead to heatstroke, in which a person's internal body temperature reaches 106 degrees or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can lead to permanent body damage and death if left untreated.
Symptoms of heat stroke are:
- Confusion, altered mental status, slurred speech.
- Loss of consciousness (coma).
- Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating.
- Seizures.
- Very high body temperature.
After calling 911, the CDC advises getting those affected by heat stroke to a cooler environment or shade and removing outer clothing. Also, try to cool down the person in one of the following ways:
- Give a cold-water or ice bath, if possible.
- Wet the skin.
- Place cold, wet cloths on the skin.
- Soak clothing with cool water.
- Circulate air around the person to speed cooling.
How to protect pets during hot weather
Spending time outdoors with a four-legged friend is the epitome of summer. But with the heat come some safety tips pet owners need to keep in mind to keep their pets happy, healthy and hydrated.
They are, according to the ASPCA:
- Ensure they have access to fresh, clean water.
- Never leave animals in a parked vehicle.
- Don't leave pets unsupervised around a pool.
- Don’t let dogs linger on hot asphalt.
Ultimately, ASPCA said that owners should know the symptoms of heat stroke in pets and know that flat-faced animals — Pugs and Persian cats- are more susceptible to heat stroke. The signs include:
- Excessive panting or difficulty breathing.
- Increased heart and respiratory rate.
- Drooling.
- Mild weakness.
- Stupor.
- Seizures.
- Bloody diarrhea.
- Vomiting.
Tips to lower energy bills on hot days in Texas
There are a few ways to lower energy bills on hot days and keep individuals cool. According to Reliant Energy, some energy-saving tips are:
- Set your thermostat four degrees higher when you’re away from home for more than four hours.
- Change your ceiling fan setting to counterclockwise.
- Use blinds or curtains to block the sun and reduce room heating.
- Schedule an HVAC checkup, check air filters monthly and replace as necessary.
- Reduce the temperature on your electric water heater to 120 degrees.
- Switch out your old light bulbs for new LEDs.
- Avoid using heat-producing appliances like the clothes dryer, dishwasher or oven during the hottest times of day.
- Use microwave and toaster ovens or grill outside to help reduce heat produced in the home.
- Install a programmable thermostat.
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Mateo Rosiles is the Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and its regional papers in Texas. Got a news tip for him? Email him at mrosiles@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: How to stay safe as a Texas heat advisory pushes triple digits
