Do not leave children or animals in parked vehicles
· When outdoor temps are high, children and animals left inside parked cars can be overcome by heat within minutes

Avoid overexposure
· Anyone outside in high temperatures for prolonged periods is at risk of heat injury, especially those involved in outdoor athletic programs at youth organizations and schools. Working up a healthy sweat is not a problem, but overdoing it can be harmful
· Directors of such programs should carefully monitor participants, ensure they have plenty of water to drink and allow sufficient time between practice sessions and workouts to cool down

Avoid dehydration
· Sweating is the body's natural cooling mechanism, and too much sweating without enough fluid intake results in dehydration
· Water is the single most important beverage a person can drink to prevent heat injury. Develop the habit of drinking water every hour when it’s hot outside—even if you are not thirsty.

Maintain adequate ventilation/air conditioning
· Some people turn off their air conditioning, do not run it long enough, or may not have access to fans or other devices that help circulate the air. Unless people have a high tolerance for heat, this practice puts them at risk for heat injury
· Neighbors, friends and family should regularly check on the elderly when the temperatures are high for a prolonged period of time
· The “2-1-1 Texas” referral program is available to provide information to people in need of fans, air conditioners or help with utility bills. Just call: “2-1-1.”

Additional hot weather tips:
· Plan strenuous activities for cooler times of the day
· Take frequent breaks to cool down if you have to work outside
· Eat lighter, balanced meals more often
· Wear plenty of sun block if you are out in the sun, and protect your eyes
· Do not overdress babies or bundle them in a blanket
· Stay in cooled environments as much as possible if your heat tolerance isn't established
· Avoid beverages containing alcohol, excessive caffeine or large amounts of sugar
· Consult your doctor if you are taking certain prescription meds to determine how the sun and heat may affect you