Summer is here in Houston. Find ways to better cope with the high temperatures

For Houstonians, record-breaking summer temperatures are nothing new.

Last year, Houston experienced two of its hottest days on record on August 24 and 27, with temperatures reaching a sweltering 108 degrees Fahrenheit. Last summer also saw a streak of 65 consecutive days with temperatures above 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

Above-normal temperatures are expected in most parts of Texas this summer, including the Houston area, according to a seasonal temperature forecast released in May by the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center.

With another brutal summer ahead, it’s important to be aware of the risks of extreme heat. There are plenty of resources available in the region to help you find food for your children during the summer holidays and ways to cool off.

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

Here are some general tips and advice for dealing with the heat in Houston:

How to stay cool this summer

It’s difficult to keep cool in Houston, especially during the hottest times of the day—from noon to 5 p.m. Even a simple walk to the car or a stroll around the block can raise your body temperature to dangerous levels.

To protect yourself from the heat, you can take the following measures:

Drink plenty beforehand
Take frequent breaks from the sun
Wear loose and light clothing
Use sunscreen
Using a portable, rechargeable handheld fan
To wear a hat

If you work outdoors, take regular breaks and drink water. If you plan to do any physical activity, do the same. Avoid caffeine and alcohol to avoid losing 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, air conditioning. But if you don’t have air conditioning, a fan can help. Remember, a fan doesn’t produce cool air; it moves warm air. Cold showers and baths can also help you stay cool.

Symptoms of heat illness to watch out for

The two most important heat-related illnesses you should be aware of are heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

Heat stroke means your body can no longer warm itself and your sweat system fails. With heat stroke, your body temperature can rise to 105 degrees or more in 15 minutes. Symptoms include dizziness, confusion, and even loss of consciousness. If you notice someone having these symptoms and they are not sweating and their skin is dry, call 911.

Heat stroke can cause organ damage and sometimes death.

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

Populations at risk from extreme heat include the elderly, young children, potentially overweight people, and people with chronic illnesses.

Between May 15 and June 4, 304 people with heat-related illnesses were registered in Houston emergency rooms and hospitals, according to Porforio Villarreal, spokesman for the Houston Health Department.

When you need protection from the heat

In the summer, not everyone may have proper air conditioning or places to cool off to escape the brutal heat. If you can’t cool off at the nearby swimming pool or at a friend’s house, there are places you can turn to.

The Houston Health Department operates 12 multiservice centers where you can cool off during hours Monday through Friday. If you’re not sure where the nearest one is, call 311.

Multi-service centers in Houston include:

Acres Homes Multi-Service Center
Alief Neighborhood Center
Denver Harbor Multi-Service Center
Multi-service center of the fifth district
Hiram Clarke Multi-Service Center
Kashmere Multi-Service Center
Magnolia Multi-Service Center
Northeastern Multi-Service Center
Southwest Multi-Service Center
Sunnyside Health and Multi-Service Center
Multi-service center of the third district
West End Multi-Service Center

During extreme heat, the city of Houston can set up “cooling centers,” where authorities open additional locations with extended hours. In those cases, the heat index, or perceived temperature, must be 42 degrees for two days in a row for the city’s heat emergency plan to be activated, Villarreal said.

In addition, the YMCA of Greater Houston partners with the city’s Emergency Management Agency to provide cooling centers during extreme heat.

If you are looking for food for children, adults

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

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

How to keep children entertained and busy

From your local pool to book challenges to summer camps, Houston offers plenty of ways to keep your kids entertained this summer.

By September, 12 swimming pools will be open in the city. You can find the opening times here.

Half Price Books hosts an annual summer reading camp that offers downloadable digital activities such as coloring pages, suggested reading lists, and a reading log. During July and August, children who complete their reading log can exchange it at their local store for 5 Bookroom Bucks (a $5 discount in store).

The Houston Public Library offers the Get LIT Summer Literacy Program for children in kindergarten through fifth grade to improve their reading and writing skills. The program consists of individual and group sessions that can be conducted in English or Spanish. These classes are offered at four locations. Click here to learn more. The Houston Public Library also offers a summer reading program.

The YMCA of Greater Houston offers summer camps for children with a variety of activities depending on their age. Click here for a list of camps and how to register.
The YMCA of Greater Houston offers free summer memberships for youth ages 13-18. Memberships include access to pools, social activities, college prep opportunities and more. The organization also offers a Connection Guest Pass, which allows you to visit a location up to three times.