FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS- With high temperatures and excessive humidity expected during the summer months, Fort Bend County Judge KP George urges county residents to take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat stroke, and exhaustion during the Corona Virus pandemic.

High-risk groups such as adults age 55 and older, children under the age of five years and people with chronic illness are urged to stay inside air-conditioned buildings until 8p.m. Even when we are not under a Heat Advisory, high-risk groups are asked to stay inside air-conditioned buildings between the hours of 1pm-5pm, which is the hottest time of the day.

“When temperatures are high, we want everyone to stay cool, hydrated, and informed. Those who work outside, senior citizens, infants and children as well as people with chronic medical conditions are more susceptible to the heat and should be checked on regularly to ensure their safety.’’ stated Fort Bend County Judge KP George. “For the next few days, we expect temperatures to remain in the mid to upper 90’s and everyone should prepare accordingly.”

Additionally, the Fort Bend County Judge George as well as the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Office recommends people take safeguards against high heat and humidity such as:

•               Increase water consumption. Drink lots of liquids even before getting thirsty, but avoid those with caffeine, alcohol or large amounts of sugar because these can result in the loss of body fluid.

•               Conduct any household outdoor work or exercise in the early morning or late evening when it is cooler. Outdoor workers should drink plenty of water or electrolyte-replacement beverages, if approved by your healthcare provider.  They should also take frequent breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned facility. Those unaccustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment need to start slowly and gradually increase heat exposure over the span of several weeks.

•               Check on the elderly. Take the initiative to set up a face-time, Duo, Zoom or window-visit seniors to look for signs of heat related illnesses. It takes the elderly nearly twice the time of younger people to return to core body temperature after exposure to extreme temperatures. A phone call to the elderly is not sufficient to determine physical condition.

•               Wear light-colored, loose fitting clothing that permits the evaporation of perspiration.

•               Do not leave children, senior citizens or pets unattended in a vehicle.  The temperature in your car can become deadly very quickly.  

•               Wear a wide-brimmed hat as that helps prevent sunburn as well as heat-related illness. Sunscreen also protects from the sun’s harmful rays and reduces the risk of sunburn.

•               Take frequent cool baths or showers if your home is not air-conditioned.

•               Electric fans should only be used with an air conditioner. A fan can’t change the temperature of a room; it can only accelerate air movement.  So, while you may feel cooler your actual body temperature may be continuing to increase.

•               Stay alert to Heat Advisories. The National Weather Service declares a Heat Emergency when the heat index (a computation of the air temperature and humidity, reaches 108 degrees on two or more consecutive days. A heat index of 108 degrees is a potential health threat for all people and is particularly dangerous for high-risk groups.