Puppies, Children, and Elderly Still at High-Risk of Heat Related Deaths After Labor Day

SAN ANGELO, TX -- The Texas Department of Public Safety hosted a seminar discussing the dangers of the heat, not only just in the summer time, but all the way up to October. 

According to the TXdot, Thirty five children have died in Texas this year due to heat this year and because of that TXdot, the San Angelo Fire Department, and the Texas Department of Public Safety have teamed up to try and keep everyone aware of the dangers of the Texas heat. 

They have also brought Steve Lyons, with the National Weather Service, and Dr. Victor Schulze, with the North Bentwood Veterinary Hospital & Boarding to show the severity of the situation. 

"Heat related deaths is the highest number of weather deaths in the United States," said Lyons. "A lot of it is unreported but the numbers can be from 150 to 600 deaths."

The Concho Valley has had one of the hottest summers to date. In the month of August alone there was almost a record of most consecutive days above 100 degrees. Also one day this summer temperatures got up to 109 degrees, which is the third-highest temperature ever recorded in San Angelo. 

The temperature is not the most important thing when you are talking about heat related deaths. According to Lyons, the heat index is where you can really determine how hot it actually feels outside.

"This year we had our first heat related incident in April and we expect it to go until October," said Mason Matthews with the SAFD. "There is a misconception that June and July are just summer but it's more than that." 

Heat can hurt more than just you or your children, but Dr. Schulze is worried more about the animals. "Dogs and Cats release their heat through their mouth and paws." said Schulze. "Without sweat glands, they just can't cool down like we can." This makes them get temperatures up to 106 or 107 where they begin to shut down. 

Sgt. Baker with the Texas DPS, warns that the heat can get anyone in a matter of minutes but in the State of Texas there are many laws about children and animals in cars. 

The law states that a children or dogs can only be left in a car for five minutes, but that thanks to the Good Samaritan Law a person can lawfully break open a car if they see a child or animal in danger. 

So remember even though we are almost done with summer the chances of the Texas heat will be here for awhile.