Dallas County Health and Human Services expects more people heading to the hospital as temperatures rise this week.
Water parks and splash pools were packed over the weekend with families recognizing that keeping cool during the day is important, but overnight temperatures will also hover above 80 degrees.
“We’re going to see increased number of hospitalizations associated with heat related illnesses and possible deaths associated with the heat” warned Dallas County Health and Human Services Director Zachary Thompson.
Dallas County health officials advise running the air conditioning at night as well. Despite the warnings, doctors continue to see cases of heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
“The concern right now is to check on your neighbors, make sure they have a working a/c unit, a working air conditioner in their homes to keep chilled air on them to keep them cool” said Thompson.
Dallas County Health and Human Services offered a program to provide free air conditioners to people without a working system, but also encouraged church groups and other to look out for neighbors.
As the heat index climbs into triple digits, staying hydrated is key. Doctors and nurses are warning parents to keep an eye on their children, along with themselves and others.
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“We would be watching for you know being tired, dizzy, having any nausea or vomiting or feeling overheated” said Connie Lin, a nurse practitioner at Children’s Health Dallas, “I want them to be drinking water at least every 20 minutes when they’re outdoors playing.”
One Florida woman visiting Klyde Warren Park in Dallas on Sunday said it was hotter there than back home in Miami.
“I’m just trying to stay under the mister even though it’s too tall for me but I’ve been drinking lots of water, going to the bathroom a lot, and trying to stay hydrated, it’s really hot here, really hot” said Daiana Halac of Miami.
Health experts also urged everyone to check on older neighbors in particular.
Dallas County Health and Human Services reported 75 heat-related illnesses so far in 2015. The state's first heat-related death occurred Friday when a toddler was found strapped inside a hot SUV in Dallas, police said.
