Published: June 23, 2009 10:13 am      

Don’t let the heat sneak up on you, health experts say

With temperatures rising into the high 90s and low 100s on a daily basis, the Hays County Personal Health Department is reminding residents, especially the elderly and those with fragile health, to take precautions.

PHD Director Priscilla Hargraves said it is best to avoid being outside during the hottest part of the day, typically between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.  

“We all need to be reminded to drink extra water, wear light-weight and light-colored clothing and to avoid outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day,” Hargraves said.

“Never leave children or pets in a hot car, even with the windows down, as it can take only a few minutes for severe health problems to occur,” she said. “Check often on your elderly family members and neighbors, and make sure your outdoor pets have shade all day long and plenty of water.”

Hays County is served by Family Eldercare, a non-profit organization dedicated to the care and protection of elders and adults with disabilities that assists more than 6,000 residents in Central Texas each year.

Its annual fan drive collects money as well as new fans and air conditioners to help prevent heat stroke and other heat-related problems in frail, low-income elders and disabled adults who do not have cooling devices in their homes.

 Donation drop-off and distribution sites are being sought by Family Eldercare throughout Hays County. The Texas State University Custodial Operations department is volunteering to deliver the fans between drop-off and distribution sites as well as to homebound recipients.

“With temperatures reaching triple digits so early, we are expecting another very hot summer,” Karen Langley, executive director of Family Eldercare, said. “This wonderful collaboration in Hays County will get our support and help with organizing a life-saving fan drive for its residents. We hope that Hays County residents will respond with donations that will be distributed to those most needy in Hays County – fan drives always bring out the best in a community.”

If you need a fan: Call Family Eldercare at (512) 459-4FAN and leave your information on voice mail if a fan coordinator is not available to take your call.

To donate a new fan (20” box fan or 14”-minimum oscillating fan), air conditioner or make a financial contribution, go to www.familyeldercare.org, call Family Eldercare at (512) 459-4FAN for drop-off locations, or visit the annual Fan Fare Friday, June 26 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Threadgill’s World Headquarters, 310 W. Riverside Drive, Austin, and enjoy free music by area bands while you donate.

If your business/agency/organization would like to organize a fan drive in Hays County, call Family Eldercare at (512) 483-3557.

The Texas Department of State Health Services has additional information on coping with heat at www.dshs.state.tx.us.

 --Information from Hays County