Tips to stay cool as East Texas heat hits triple digits
Posted/updated on: July 23, 2026 at 4:12 pm
EAST TEXAS (KETK) – After many areas of East Texas reported temperatures of over 100 degrees this week, it’s more important than ever to stay cool and know the signs of heat-related illness.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, average temperatures in the lower 48 states have gone up by 60% from the global average since 1970. The agency expects temperatures to continue to rise in the U.S. because of climate change.
They also expect the number of extremely hot days over 95 degrees to increase, alongside an increase in multi-day heat waves, which may become even hotter and more widespread. This means it’ll only be more important to know how to stay cool going forward.
In order to help East Texas beat the heat, KETK News has put together the following list of tips that can help people, pets and homes stay cool:
Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated, but stay away from very sugary drinks.
Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
Avoid high-energy activities or work outdoors during midday heat if possible.
Wear sunscreen; sunburn affects the body’s ability to cool down and can make you dehydrated.
Watch for heat-related illnesses.
Consider pet safety.
For pets outside, make sure they have plenty of cool water and access to shade.
Take cool showers or baths.
Do not leave children or pets in cars.
Stay up to date on heat advisories from local weather sources.
Pace yourself.
If you’re not accustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment, start slowly and pick up the pace gradually.
Cover windows with drapes or shades.
Use weatherstripping on doors and windows.
Use window reflectors to reflect heat back outside.
Add insulation in your home to keep the heat out.
Identify cool places to go in the community such as libraries and shopping malls or contact the local health department to find a cooling center near you.
Anyone who’s a child, over 65, pregnant, has a pre-existing medical condition, a mental health condition, or even anyone with a substance use disorder faces a higher risk of heat-related illness like heat stroke, heat cramps, or heat exhaustion.
In order to help East Texans notice and recover from those heat-related illnesses, KETK News has put together the following list of symptoms and remedies for heat stroke, heat cramps or heat exhaustion:
Heat Stroke
Symptoms to look out for:
High body temperature
Hot, red, dry or damp skin
Fast, strong pulse
Headache
Dizziness
Nausea
Confusion
Losing consciousness
What to do:
Call 911 right away
Do not give the person anything to drink
Move the person to a cooler place
Help lower the person’s temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath
Heat Exhaustion
Symptoms to look out for:
Heavy sweating
Cold, pale and clammy skin
Fast, weak pulse
Nausea or vomiting
Muscle cramps
Tiredness or weakness
Dizziness
Headache
Fainting
What to do:
Move to a cool place
Loosen clothes
Put cool, wet cloths on body or take a cool bath
Sip water
Get help immediately if you are throwing up, if symptoms get worse or last longer than an hour.
Heat Cramps
Symptoms to look out for:
Heavy sweating during intense exercise
Muscle pain or spasms
What to do:
Stop physical activity and move to a cool place
Drink water or a sports drink
Wait for cramps to go away before you do any more physical activity
Get help immediately if cramps last longer than one hour, if you’re on a low-sodium diet or if you have heart problems.
The Environmental Protection Agency also warns that extreme heat can negatively impact people’s mental health, leading to a potential risk of increased suicide rates and violence between people.
Those who work outdoors face an added risk from heat as well, with the agency saying the number of days in a year that are unsafe for farmworkers is expected to double by the middle of this century.
