Dallas County reports 2nd heat-related death of 2022 as triple-digit temps return

Dallas County reported its second heat-related death of 2022 Thursday, and health officials are urging caution as another stretch of triple-digit temperatures nears.

The patient was a 77-year-old man who lived in Dallas and had underlying health conditions, Dallas County Health and Human Services reported. No other details were released.

“We are very saddened to report our second heat-related death this season,” Philip Huang, the county’s health director, said in a written statement. “We encourage everyone to take precautions to protect themselves and their children from heat-related illness as temperatures remain high throughout the summer. Hydrate constantly and limit your time outdoors to protect against the intense heat.”

The health department reported its first heat-related death on July 21. The patient was a 66-year-old woman who lived in Dallas and also had underlying health conditions, officials said.

Ambulance service MedStar said since May 1, they have responded to more than 680 heat-related patients this year, up from 334 last year.

After rain brought brief relief from a summer of record-breaking heat Wednesday, Dallas-Fort Worth temperatures are set to return to the triple digits by Sunday, according to the National Weather Service in Fort Worth.

Preventing heat-related illnesses

Heat exhaustion is marked by symptoms including dry mouth, dizziness and excessive sweating, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If left untreated, it can progress to heatstroke, which is more severe and happens when the body loses the ability to regulate temperature on its own.

MedStar says heat-related illnesses can be prevented by following these tips:

• Hydrate: Drink plenty of water during the day, especially if you are engaged in any strenuous activity. Sports drinks are also a good choice if you’re exercising or working in hot conditions.
• Ventilate: Stay in a place where there is plenty of air circulating to keep your body cool. If you are indoors and don’t have access to air conditioning, open windows and use a fan.
• Cover up: Wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing to avoid absorbing the sun’s light and trapping heat. Wear a hat to shield yourself from the sun, but once you feel yourself getting warm, remove any items covering your head, as they can trap heat close to your body.
• Limit activity: Heatstroke can occur in less than an hour when you are participating in strenuous activity on a hot day. If you feel yourself getting hot or light-headed, stop and rest in a cool place out of the sun. Be sure to drink water or a sports drink before, during and after any strenuous activity.
• Check on loved ones: The elderly are especially vulnerable to heat-related emergencies and may not be aware of how hot it may get in their homes. Call on older friends and family members regularly to make sure they are OK.

For people experiencing homelessness or for those without air conditioning, multiple cooling shelters are accessible at Dallas public libraries and recreation centers, some area homeless shelters and Salvation Army locations.