Summer in Houston is here. Finding ways to better manage high temperatures

Houstonians are no strangers to record-breaking summer temperatures.

Last year, Houston experienced two of its hottest days on record, with temperatures reaching 109 degrees on August 24 and 27. Last summer also included a streak of 65 consecutive days with temperatures above 95 degrees.

This summer, temperatures are expected to be above normal in most parts of Texas, including the Houston area, according to seasonal temperature forecasts released in May by the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center.

With another brutal summer on the horizon, it’s important to understand the risks associated with extreme heat. There are multiple resources available to help you find food for your children during summer vacation and ways to cool off in the area.

Two men deliver ice cream to vendors at Sunny's Flea Market — Two men deliver ice cream to vendors at the Sunny Flea Market on the morning of Saturday, August 5, 2023. (Darío De León for Houston Landing)

Here are some general tips on how to deal with the Houston heat:

How to stay cool this summer

In Houston, it’s hard to stay cool, especially during the hottest parts of the day, from noon to 5 p.m. Even a simple walk to your car or a walk around the neighborhood could raise your internal body temperature to dangerous levels.

Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself from the heat:

Drink plenty of fluids beforehand
Take frequent breaks from the sun
Wear loose, light-colored clothing
Wear sunscreen
Use a portable, rechargeable fan
Wearing a hat

If you work outside, be sure to take frequent breaks and drink water. If you plan to engage in any strenuous activity, you’ll want to do the same thing. Try to avoid caffeine and alcohol to prevent loss of body fluids.

A man wades through floodwaters with a child on his shoulders after the remnants of Hurricane Harvey hit Houston

The best way to stay cool indoors is of course to use an air conditioner. But if you don’t have air conditioning, using a fan can help. Remember that a fan does not provide cool air but rather moves warm air. Cold showers and baths can also help keep you cool.

Heat symptoms to watch out for

The two main heat-related illnesses you need to be aware of are heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

Heat stroke means that your body can no longer heat itself and your sweating system breaks down. Your body temperature can reach 106 degrees or more in 15 minutes during heatstroke. Symptoms include dizziness, confusion and even loss of consciousness. If you notice someone exhibiting these symptoms, not sweating and dry skin, call 911.

Heat stroke can lead to organ damage and sometimes death.

Heat exhaustion is the loss of water and salt due to excessive sweating, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you notice someone who seems weak or dizzy, move them to a cooler area. Other symptoms include nausea and excessive sweating.

Vulnerable populations in extreme heat include the elderly, infants, overweight people, and those with chronic illnesses.

Between May 15 and June 4, Houston emergency centers and hospitals recorded 304 people suffering from heat-related illnesses, according to Houston Health Department spokesman Porforio Villarreal.

If you need shelter to escape the heat

During the summer, not everyone has proper air conditioning or places to cool down to escape the brutal heat. If you’re unable to cool off in a nearby pool or at a friend’s house, there are places you can turn.

The Houston Health Department operates 12 multi-service centers where you can refresh yourself during operating hours Monday through Friday. If you don’t know where the nearest one is, call 311.

Houston’s full-service centers include:

Acres Homes Multi-Service Center
Alief Neighborhood Center
Port of Denver Full Service Center
Fifth Ward Multi-Service Center
Hiram Clarke Multi-Service Center
Kashmir Multi-Service Center
Magnolia Multi-Service Center
Northeast Multi-Service Center
South West Multi-Service Center
Sunnyside Health and Multi-Service Center
Third Ward Multi-Service Center
West End Multi-Service Center

In cases of extreme heat, the City of Houston may designate “cooling centers,” where officials open additional locations for extended hours. In those cases, the heat index, or feeling of temperature, must be 108 degrees for two consecutive days to activate the city’s heat emergency plan, Villarreal said.

Additionally, the YMCA of Greater Houston partners with the city’s Office of Emergency Management to provide cooling centers during extreme heat situations.

If you need food for children, adults

There are many resources available for finding food in the area. The Houston Food Bank has an interactive map where you can search for food distribution sites around Houston that are open near you. Click here to check it out.

School districts also provide meals to students during recess. Consult the Ministry of Agriculture’s interactive map to find a meal near you.

How to entertain and engage children

From your local pool and booking challenges to summer camps, Houston has a few options for keeping the kids entertained this summer.

The city has 12 swimming pools scheduled to open until September. For opening hours, click here.

Half Price Books hosts an annual summer reading camp where it offers digital activities you can download, such as coloring pages, recommended reading lists, and a reading journal. During July and August, children who complete their booklet can return it to their local store in exchange for $5 Bookroom Bucks (a $5 in-store discount).

The Houston Public Library offers the Get LIT summer literacy program to children in kindergarten through fifth grade to improve their literacy skills. The program includes individual and group sessions that can be taken in English or Spanish. These courses are available at four locations. Click here to find out more. The Houston Public Library also offers a summer reading program.

The YMCA of Greater Houston offers summer camps for children with activities that vary depending on their age. Click here to find a breakdown of their camps and how to register.
The YMCA of Greater Houston offers free summer memberships to teens ages 13-18. Memberships include access to swimming pools, social activities, college prep opportunities and much more. The organization also offers a Connection Guest Pass to allow you to visit a location up to three times.