Beat the Heat Program

Tips for staying cool at home this summer:

• Pay attention to the temperature in your home.
  

• Stay hydrated by drinking more water than usual.
  

• Use cooling towels.
  

• Take cool baths or showers.
  

• Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which are dehydrating. 
  

• Have a loved one call to check on you throughout the day.
  

• Ask your doctor how heat can affect any medications you're taking.
  

• Limit outdoor activity. 
  

• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.

1. Hydration is key

   • Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
   • Swap sugary and caffeinated drinks for coconut water or milk or sugar-free electrolyte flavored drinks, which may hydrate more effectively.

2. Clothing and skin care

   • Wear loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothing to improve air circulation.
   • Apply sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) and wear wide-brimmed hats to protect yourself from UV rays.

3. Cooling techniques

   • Take cool showers or baths to quickly lower body temperature.
   • Place a bowl of ice in front of a fan to create a makeshift air cooler.

4. Stay indoors or seek cool spaces

   • Avoid outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.).
   • Visit air-conditioned public spaces such as libraries, malls or designated cooling centers.

5. Food choices

   • Eat water-rich foods like cucumbers, watermelon and lettuce to stay hydrated.
   • Avoid heavy or hot meals that might raise body temperature.

6. Nighttime cooling

   • Use lightweight bedding for better comfort.
   • Keep curtains closed during the day to lower indoor temperatures.

These games are not only refreshing but also bring families and neighborhoods together in a safe and enjoyable way. Remember to play on grass or non-slip surfaces and supervise children at all times for safety!

1. Water Balloon Toss

• Pair up and gently toss a water balloon back and forth, stepping farther apart with each successful catch. First team to pop their balloon loses!

2. Sprinkler Obstacle Course

• Set up sprinklers in the yard and create an obstacle course using cones, hoops or pool noodles. Run, jump and crawl through while staying cool.

3. Sponge Relay Race

• Use large sponges and two buckets — one with water, one empty. Teams race to soak a sponge, run to the empty bucket and squeeze out as much water as possible. After a set time, the team with the most water wins.

4. Water Limbo

• Hold a running hose or water noodle while players limbo underneath. Lower it after each round and add extra splashes for fun.

5. Duck, Duck, Splash!

• A twist on “Duck, Duck, Goose!” — the “goose” uses a small cup of water to splash the chosen player.

6. Water Gun Tag

• Standard tag, but the “it” player holds a water gun. If you’re sprayed, you’re now “it.”

7. Drip, Drip, Drop

• Like Duck, Duck, Goose but walk around with a cup of water, dripping drops on everyone’s head until you “drop” the whole cup on someone — they must then chase you!

8. Slip ’n' Slide Run

• Lay out a plastic tarp, add water, a little baby shampoo and slide away! Always use on a flat, soft surface.

9. Water Balloon Piñata

• Hang water balloons from a clothesline or tree branch. Blindfolded players take turns trying to pop them with a stick.

10. Water Cup Relay

• Teams carry cups of water over their heads, trying to fill a container at the finish line. Some water will spill, but that’s part of the fun!

Keep your utility bills under control during the Texas summer!

1. Set thermostat to 75-78°F when home
This is the generally recommended temperature for cooling comfort and energy savings. If you need extra cooling, even 1-2 degrees higher can save money and still feel comfortable with fans.

2. Increase the temperature when away
Raise the thermostat to 80°F or higher if you’re out for several hours. This prevents your A/C from running unnecessarily. However, you still want to keep it on enough to reduce humidity in the house. Never turn it completely off — it takes longer and uses more energy to cool down a house from a high temperature.

3. Use a programmable or smart thermostat
Program your schedule — set cooler temps for when you’re home and warmer when you’re gone. Smart thermostats can even learn your habits and adjust automatically. They are worth the expense. Some even let you adjust the temperature via your smartphone. They can run for as little as $50 to $200 with sensors. Oncor, the energy provider in North Texas, offers an instant $50 coupon for those upgrading to a smart thermostat. Discounts are available on Nest Learning Thermostat, Nest Thermostat E, ecobee SmartThermostat with voice control and ecobee SmartThermostat. Residents can visit smartsavingstx.com to validate their home address and receive a redeemable coupon on qualifying thermostats. Participating retailer locations, like Home Depot and Lowes, will also have signage so customers can instantly download the coupons in stores.

4. Don’t set thermostat too low
Setting a drastically low temp won’t cool your home any faster, it just makes the A/C run longer, using more energy.

5. Use fans to help
Ceiling or portable fans help spread cool air. You can often set your thermostat a few degrees higher and still feel comfortable when using fans.

6. Close blinds/curtains during the day
Block out direct sunlight to keep rooms cooler, making your thermostat’s job easier.

7. Maintain your A/C unit
Clean/change filters monthly and have your system serviced annually for maximum efficiency.

8. Avoid heat buildup
Don’t use ovens, stoves or clothes dryers during the hottest part of the day. These can raise your home’s temperature and make your A/C work harder.