Reliant Energy has partnered with cities in Texas to open "Beat the Heat" centers as summer approaches. The first official day of summer is Friday; temperatures in North Texas are expected to reach the mid 90s at least through this weekend.
This is the 16th year for the "Beat the Heat" program. In Dallas, cooling centers are open at Martin Luther King Jr Community Center at 2922 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd and West Dallas Multipurpose Center at 2828 Fish Trap Rd. Reliant Energy is sponsoring those centers and will provide drinks and snacks. Other recreation centers and libraries in Dallas can be used during their regular business hours as well.
"These conditions can easily put our residents in danger, especially our most vulnerable populations such as elderly persons, children, people with chronic medical conditions, people taking certain medications and people who work outside," says City Councilman Adam Bazaldua. "Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are very real dangers, but they are preventable."
Bazaldua says simple options to prevent heat illness include drinking plenty of water.
"There's time for alcohol, but when the heat's out, let's watch it," he says. "Find shade and take lots of breaks when working or playing. When spending time outdoors, breaks are critical."
Inside, Bazaldua says people can keep blinds closed and run their fans to take pressure off the air conditioning. He urges people to use large appliances in the evening and not during the hottest part of the day.
Reliant Energy donated $25,000 for cooling centers and 260 evaporator coolers in Dallas; the company is also donating $20,000 for cooling centers and 50 window air conditioners in Fort Worth.
"Fluctuations in electricity bills, often during periods of high use and extreme weather during these summer months, can make it really tough to manage a monthly budget, especially for those who live on fixed incomes," says Suzie Dieth, vice president and chief experience officer at Reliant. "No one should put their health at risk by choosing to not run their A/C when the weather gets hot because they're afraid of a high electricity bill."
People can find out how to get help with utility bills by calling 211 or visiting 211texas.org.
In Fort Worth, Beat the Heat centers are located at Como Community Center at 4660 Horne St, Martin Luther King Jr Community Center at 5565 Truman Dr, Northside Community Center, 1100 NW 18th Street, and Worth Heights Community Center, 3551 New York Ave.
A complete list of Beat the Heat centers can be found at https://www.reliant.com/en/about/community/beat-the-heat .
"Since 2002, Reliant has provided more than $18 million to help Texans statewide who need assistance with electricity costs," Dieth says.
Last year, Reliant says donated fans and coolers were given away quickly. In Dallas, people can apply by calling the MLK, Jr Community Center at (214) 670-8418 or West Dallas Multipurpose Center at (214) 670-6341.