Extreme Weather Task Force urging public to take precaution as temps heat up

The Extreme Weather Task Force is asking the public to take extra precaution as temps start to heat up.

Grace Ortiz, the Community Engagement Specialist with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services tells Abc-7 the elderly are especially vulnerable during this time. Ortiz says many people do not have working air conditioners or any at all.

“They don’t have anybody to turn their swamp cooler for them, or they’re very untrusting of finding a plumber or contractor or someone to do that for them. Or they just don’t have any family, or they just can’t afford it. So a lot of times they need that free fan,” Ortiz said.

Ortiz says the people most affected by the heat include the elderly, persons with disabilities, or certain types of health conditions and small infant children but she says her concern grows for everyone as the temps get hotter.

“Right now, I feel like I’m in crisis mode. Last year had four heat-related deaths, they were all in July. We’re just on the second day of summer.”

The four heat-related deaths last year, included a 34, 35, 65 and 85-year old.

“So what are we doing wrong? Are we not drinking enough water, are staying out of the heat? Don’t drink alcohol, stay away from the caffeine, again, drink water.”

Ortiz says people tend to underestimate the heat and overlook the warning signs.

“You think, I’m going to be fine. I don’t really, I’m not going to feel it, but then all of a sudden you start to get a headache, you start feeling the nausea, you start feeling dizzy, you start perspiring profusely, you feel like you have a temperature, then you’re starting to have heat stroke. Call 911. Get the help you need.”

Ortiz is asking the public to be a buddy and check on your neighbors early in the morning and at night, make sure they have working air conditioning and are staying out of the heat.

“Physical neglect is one of the most common types of things that we see at Adult Protective Services. We get older, and as we get older, we either stop forgetting to take our medications, or we don’t eat like we should. We’re not as hungry as often. The other thing is we don’t use common sense. So the problem there is they’ll go outside and they’ll do gardening at the worst time or they’ll work on their car when it’s 105 outside.”

The Extreme Weather Task Force partners with Project BRAVO for assistance for the vulnerable. The elderly can apply for assistance with installing air conditioners. Ortiz says in some cases, Adult Protective Services can also install units for the elderly.

The Extreme Weather Task Force is also giving out free fans to the elderly and vulnerable.

“Sometimes, that free fan is not enough, you need to make sure there’s ventilation in the home, they’re dressed appropriately, they’re taking their meds, they’re not doing what they’re not supposed to be doing in the extreme heat.”

The city and the Extreme Weather Task Force have also teamed up to provide cooling zones, where the public can go to cool down and avoid the heat. They include public libraries, senior centers and malls.

Ortiz tells ABC-7 they gave away more than 600 fans last year. She says they currently have about 150 requests for fans.You can call 211 to register for one. If you would like to donate a fan, you can go to a local fire station.