Summer is a wonderful time to enjoy the great outdoors. The City of Arlington's Office of Emergency Management encourages residents to be safe while enjoying outdoor activities by following a few precautions.
Be Informed and Stay Alert
- Check local news media for extreme heat alerts and advisories
- National Weather Service updates heat-related warnings online at www.weather.gov
During Periods of Extreme Heat
- Avoid direct sunlight
- Apply high-SPF sunscreen frequently when outdoors
- Stay in air-conditioned buildings
- Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing
- Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device as it only recirculates hot air
- Visit your physician to find out if you have a health condition that may be exacerbated by hot weather. Children and the elderly are most vulnerable to heat-related illnesses
- Regularly check on elderly neighbors/family
Stay Hydrated
- Because your body loses fluids through sweat, you can quickly become dehydrated during times of extreme heat
- Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink more water
- Avoid alcohol or liquids containing high amounts of sugar or caffeine
Recognize the Symptoms
Heat Exhaustion
Symptoms
- Heavy sweating
- Muscle cramping
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fainting
- Cold, pale and clammy skin
- Fast, weak pulse
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What You Should Do
- Move to a cooler location
- Lie down and loosen your clothing
- Apply cool, wet cloths to your body
- Sip water
- If you have vomited and it continues, seek medical attention
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Heat Stroke
Symptoms
- High body temperature above 103
- Hot, red, dry or moist skin
- Rapid and strong pulse
- Possible unconsciousness
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What You Should Do
- Call 911 immediately - this is a medical emergency
- Move to a cooler location
- Reduce the person's body temperature with cool cloths or even a bath
- Do NOT give fluids
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Information provided by the National Weather Service and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Citizens seeking a place to go, during the day, for relief from the extremely hot weather can go to the City of Arlington Public Libraries and Recreation Centers. These facilities are open to the public during regular business hours.
For hours of operation and location information, please go to http://www.arlingtonlibrary.org or http://naturallyfun.org/recreation-centers . Citizens may also contact the Action Center at 817-459-6777.
An additional cooling center location is the Salvation Army in Arlington, 712 W. Abram Street. It will be open 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., M-F. Call 817-860-1836 for more information.
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