As we approach the end of May, the siren song of summer begins to blare. The daydreams of adults and children alike start to take a watery form. Whether it’s casually careening down a river, sitting in the shade with your feet in a lake, or splashing around at a brandnew splash pad, we Texans know the best way to beat the heat is to get water involved.

However, as is so often the case, our most vulnerable fellow Texans are dreaming very different dreams. Instead of planning pit stops or packing poolside lunches, there are those among us that will spend the summer concerned solely with surviving it. We all know it gets hot in Texas. Whether you’ve lived here your whole life or moved here a week ago, you’re no stranger to the literal ups and downs of Texas temperatures. We’re still weeks away from the official “First Day of Summer,” and the country is already bracing for a record-breaking heatwave.

According to the National Integrated Heat Health Information System, some groups are at more risk of heat-related illness (HRI) than others.

Children, elderly adults, those with disabilities or chronic health conditions, and those who spend significant amounts of time outdoors like outdoor workers and athletes are more likely to be adversely affected by increasing temperatures. The CDC reports approximately 200 deaths from heat-related illness in 2022, the most recent year available.

The most common HRI are heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Symptoms include dizziness, confusion, heavy sweating, nausea, weakness, and unconsciousness. To prevent HRIs as much as possible, the NIHHIS recommends the following:

•If you think someone is suffering from an HRI, move them to a cooler area, loosen their clothing if possible, and encourage them to sip cool water.

Seek medical help if symptoms don’t improve and call 911 if the person loses consciousness.

•Never leave anyone, especially children or pets, alone in closed vehicles for any amount of time.

(The U.S. Dept. of Transportation reports that during the summer, two children every week are killed in a hot car.)

•Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty. Limit caffeine intake.

•Check on family, friends, and neighbors who do not have air conditioning and who spend much of their time alone.

•Stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine if air conditioning is not available.

This summer as you crank your A/C on the way to the store to get sunscreen and sandwich supplies, consider grabbing a case of water to donate to any number of organizations that could use it. Whether you donate it to a local civic group, like your hometown fire department or city groundskeepers, or to an organization that directly distributes to the community, there’s never really a wrong place to do the right thing. You can even bring it by the Tribune office and we’ll get it where it needs to go.

If you don’t feel like hauling a case of water, consider donating a fan or funds to Rock Solid Resource Center’s fan drive. The New Boston Chamber of Commerce is matching donations, so the difference you make is doubled.

However you do it, let’s all do our best this summer to remember that the motto of Texas is friendship, and friends take care of each other – so Texans should take care of Texans.