Staying Cool in the Texas Summer

What’s it like in Tyler, TX, in the summer?

August is Tyler’s hottest month, boasting an average high of 94°F and an average low of 73°F.

In eastern Texas, you’ll deal with humidity and heat. Humidity refers to the amount of moisture in the air. In dry areas, like El Paso, your sweat dries quickly and helps to cool you. However, in humid areas like Tyler, your sweat doesn’t evaporate as quickly, making you feel hotter and stickier. So what to do? You can’t stay inside all day, even if your recreational vehicle has great air conditioning. After all, even if you’re on vacation or working and staying at a 5-star RV Park like Woodland Creek RV Park, you need to get outside.

So, how do you stay cool in the Texas summer heat?

It’s easy to get overheated in summer weather. We’ll give you a few ideas, but remember that any warnings we give also apply to children.

Hydration Is Key

Avoid dehydration by consuming plenty of water throughout the day.
Most importantly — stay hydrated! Start drinking at breakfast time and hydrate before you go out. Some experts recommend drinking 16-32 ounces of water every hour, but we understand that’s not always feasible when you’re driving or touring on vacation. However, keeping this in mind and drinking whenever you can is a practical way to stay cool. Take a water bottle with you so it’s always within reach.
If you have children with you, remember that water is your best choice for their drinks. Steer clear of drinking too many sugary or caffeinated beverages, as they can promote dehydration. Encourage toddlers to drink as much water as they are willing to drink. Make the drinks as palatable as possible, perhaps with a fun drink container or juice frozen into cubes.
Here are the recommended amounts of water for children of all ages: Babies should be encouraged to begin drinking water when it’s advisable for their development. Before engaging in play, children should consume up to 10 ounces of water and take a break approximately every 15 minutes to hydrate and replenish their bodies. Teens should aim to drink up to 20 ounces of water before starting any activities.

However, don’t overdrink. Overdrinking means consuming excessive fluids, which can lead to your blood becoming too diluted. The Centers for Disease Control says to limit your fluid intake to no more than 48 ounces (1½ quarts) per hour! Drinking too much water or other fluids, like sports or energy drinks, can lead to a medical emergency due to the decreased salt concentration in the blood. You can keep track of the amount of liquid by measuring it in a water bottle.

Great Ways To Beat The Heat

Now that we grasp the importance of staying hydrated but not overhydrated, let’s explore some practical ways to beat the Texas summer heat. Here’s a short list of tried and tested methods:

Dress Appropriately

Opt for lightweight, breathable fabrics in lighter colors to reflect sunlight and heat to allow air circulation. Fabrics like cotton, linen, and chambray are excellent choices as they are natural, breathable, and absorbent. You can wet a bandana and tie it around your neck or make a headscarf.
Wearing a hat with a wide brim to protect your face and eyes from the sun’s glare is a good idea. Wear good shoes (yes, it’s hard to give up the flip-flops) and a bandana for each person.

Seek Shade and Cool Spaces

Take refuge in shaded areas whenever possible, especially during the hottest times of the day.
Spend time indoors in air-conditioned spaces to escape the heat.
Utilize fans or portable air conditioners to create a cool environment at home or work.

Scheduling Outdoor Activities

Choose the timing of outdoor activities carefully. Doing your outdoor chores or fitness routine early in the day or evening, when the temperature is cooler, can help you avoid the day’s peak heat. This can make your activities more enjoyable and reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses. Take regular breaks in shaded areas and refrain from exerting too much in the heat.
Use sunscreen or sunblock before you go out and every couple of hours while in the sun.

Protect Your Pets

When you’re out with your dog, protect its paws against blistering by walking during cooler times when the ground isn’t hot or by putting booties on pets to help shield paws from the hot ground. If you wonder if the pavement will burn your dog’s paws, remove your shoes and socks and walk around. If it’s too hot for your feet, it’s too hot for theirs.

Please make sure they get plenty of water. Take along a bottle full of water and a bowl.
When you’re out without your pets, ensure your trailer or motorhome is air-conditioned as if you were home. Also, think about what would happen if the power died, which can always happen in the summer when the electrical service is overloaded. Some RVs have generators that automatically start if the inside temperature is over 80. If you can’t set this up for your pet, make sure to let the RV park managers know that you have a pet, just in case of power loss. Remember, pets are people, too!

Stay Informed and Be Prepared

Monitor weather forecasts and heat advisories to stay informed about upcoming heatwaves.
Keep emergency supplies on hand, including water, first-aid kits, and portable fans.
Get to know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, and consult a medical professional if necessary.

What to look for:

Heavy sweating
Cold, pale, clammy skin
Fast, weak pulse
Nausea or vomiting
Muscle cramps
Tiredness or weakness
Dizziness or headache

There’s more information here: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html.

Plan Ahead

Take your time in the heat of the day, and consider adopting the custom of a siesta, where you retreat indoors during the worst of the afternoon heat.

Make your reservations early, if possible. One of the best things you can do, especially if you are in an RV, is to stay at a reputable camp like Woodland Creek RV Park. Not only is the park amply shaded for you, but we also have a shaded dog park for your furry friends, one for large dogs and one for small dogs, right here at the park, plus shaded picnic tables and a host of family-friendly activities designed to keep you cool in addition to the many activities you can enjoy in Tyler. Just a short six-minute drive away, Tyler offers everything from museums, a zoo, restaurants, coffee shops, and seasonal events. There’s plenty to explore here in this anti-boredom city in the heart of Texas nature. Ready to book your perfect getaway? Call us today at Woodland Creek RV Park.