While summer in San Antonio officially runs from June through September, locals know that high temperatures come early and often stick around much longer. Prolonged heat can pose serious health risks, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
The City of San Antonio encourages all residents to take proactive steps to stay cool, stay hydrated, and stay safe during hot weather. Protect yourself with these tips.
Stay Cool
- Spend time in air-conditioned spaces whenever possible.
- Take cool showers or use a spray bottle to mist your skin.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing.
- Find nearby places to stay cool, like libraries, community centers, shopping malls, pools, or splash pads to cool off.
Places to Stay Cool
Residents in need of a place to stay cool during the day can visit City libraries and senior and community centers during normal operating hours.
Map of Places to Stay Cool
Stay Hydrated
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
- Carry a water bottle with you when outdoors.
- Avoid beverages with alcohol, caffeine, or excessive sugar, which can dehydrate you.
Stay Safe
- Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day (typically 2 - 7 p.m.).
- Take frequent breaks in the shade or indoors if working or exercising outside.
- Use sunscreen, wear a wide-brimmed hat, and protect your skin from sun exposure.
- Watch for signs of heat exhaustion: heavy sweating, weakness, nausea, dizziness, and headache.
- Recognize heat stroke symptoms – high body temperature, confusion, no sweating, rapid pulse – and call 9-1-1 immediately.
- Check on neighbors, especially older adults, young children, people with disabilities, and those without air conditioning.
Car Safety
Never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles. If you see a child or pet locked in a hot car or the bed of a truck, take immediate action. Note the vehicle’s description and license plate number and call 9-1-1 right away.
NOTE: Under City ordinance, both Police and Animal Care Officers are authorized to break a vehicle’s window if a child or animal is in danger.
Unsheltered Neighbors
To support our unsheltered neighbors, the City collaborates with nonprofit partners to provide additional street outreach, providing information on ways to stay cool and develop a long-term safer housing plan. Street outreach teams provide water and may open additional cooling sites or extend hours in extreme heat warnings. For assistance, call the City’s Community Connections Hotline at 210-207-1799.
Pets
Extreme heat can quickly lead to heat stress in pets. To keep them safe:
- Always provide fresh water, shaded shelter, and proper housing-these are not just best practices, they're required by law. Chain tethers are prohibited year-round.
- Be extra cautious with pets that are young, elderly, overweight, short-muzzled, or have thick/dark coats - they're more vulnerable to overheating.
- Watch for signs of heat stress: heavy panting, glazed eyes, vomiting, lethargy, or collapse. Cool them gradually and seek immediate veterinary care.
- Protect your pet's paws - pavement and asphalt can get dangerously hot in the summer. If it's too hot for your hand, it's too hot for their paws.
Stay Resilient
Some parts of San Antonio get hotter than others due to fewer trees, more pavement, and less green space. These are called urban heat islands.
The City of San Antonio is creating Cool Neighborhoods to help lower temperatures in these areas. Learn more and see if you qualify for resources.
- Cool Pavement
- The water-based asphalt treatment known as cool pavement reflects more sunlight and absorbs less heat. View Project Locations.
- Urban Forest
- More trees help lower temperatures by providing shade.
- Cool Roofs
- Under 1 Roof Cool Neighborhood Pilot Program focuses on areas most impacted by extreme heat. Apply to see if you qualify for a new roof.
- Home Rehab
- Offers repairs to reduce energy bills and address health, safety, code, and accessibility issues.
Heat Related Illnesses
Older adults, young children, people with medical conditions (like heart disease), and those without air conditioning are most at risk during extreme heat. Common heat-related illnesses include heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
Signs of heat stroke include a high body temperature (103°F+), red or damp skin, rapid pulse, dizziness, nausea, confusion, or fainting. Move the person to a cool place and call 9-1-1 immediately. While waiting for help, use cool cloths, offer water, fan the person, and stay calm.
This dashboard illustrates heat-related illnesses (HRI) that have occurred in Bexar County.
Heat Related Illness Dashboard
Heat Cramps
Heat cramps can be an early warning sign of heat-related illness. Symptoms include muscle pain or spasms, often accompanied by heavy sweating during intense physical activity.
If you experience heat cramps, stop all physical activity and move to a cool area. Drink water or a sports drink to rehydrate. Rest until the cramps subside before resuming any activity. Seek immediate medical attention if cramps last longer than an hour, if you're on a low-sodium diet, or if you have a heart condition.
Heat Exhaustion
Heat exhaustion is a serious condition that may include heavy sweating, cool and clammy skin, a fast but weak pulse, and possibly a normal or rising body temperature. Other symptoms may include fainting or dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, and general tiredness or weakness.
If you experience heat exhaustion, move to a cooler location right away. Loosen your clothing, apply cool, wet cloths to your body or take a cool bath, and sip water slowly to rehydrate. Seek immediate medical attention if you are vomiting, if symptoms worsen, or if they last longer than one hour.
Heat Rash
Heat rash appears as clusters of small red blisters that look like pimples, typically on the neck, chest, groin, or in elbow creases. To prevent and treat heat rash, stay in a cool, dry place and keep the affected area dry. Avoid tight clothing and activities that cause excessive sweating until the rash clears.
Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is life-threatening and requires immediate attention. Warning signs include a high body temperature (103°F or higher), hot, red, dry or damp skin, a fast and strong pulse, headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, or even loss of consciousness.
If you experience heat stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately — heat stroke is a medical emergency. Move the person to a cooler place and help reduce their body temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath. Do not give the person anything to drink. Stay with them until emergency help arrives.
Sunburn
Always use sunscreen. Sunburned skin may appear red, warm, and painful to the touch. In some cases, blisters may form. Stay out of the sun until the sunburn heals. Apply cool cloths or take a cool bath to soothe the area. Use moisturizing lotion to relieve dryness and discomfort. Do not break any blisters, as this can lead to infection.
Stay Informed
Resources
The following resources and websites can help you prepare for, respond to, and recover from extreme heat.
- City of San Antonio Services
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- San Antonio Water System (SAWS)
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- CPS Energy
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- Community Resources
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