Heat Safety in Collin County — How to Stay Safe as North Texas Temperatures Hit the 100s This July

North Texas summers are no joke and July 2026 is shaping up to be a hot one. With temperatures expected to regularly exceed 100 degrees across Collin County this month heat safety is a serious concern for residents of all ages. Know the Warning Signs: Heat exhaustion symptoms include heavy sweating, cold and pale skin, fast and weak pulse, nausea or vomiting, muscle cramps, tiredness and weakness, dizziness, headache, and fainting. If you or someone around you experiences these symptoms move to a cool location immediately and hydrate. Heat stroke is more severe and is a medical emergency. Signs include high body temperature above 103 degrees, hot red dry or damp skin, rapid and strong pulse, and possible unconsciousness. Call 911 immediately if heat stroke is suspected. Cooling Centers in Collin County: All major cities in Collin County open cooling centers during extreme heat events. These are air-conditioned public spaces where anyone can come to cool down at no charge. Frisco public library branches at 6101 Frisco Square Blvd and other locations have extended hours during heat emergencies. McKinney Public Library at 220 N Kentucky St and recreation centers are open. Plano Public Library branches and recreation centers across the city are available. Allen Public Library at 300 N Allen Drive is open. Call your city's non-emergency line or check the city website for cooling center activation during heat alerts. Tips for Surviving North Texas July Heat: Stay hydrated by drinking water before you feel thirsty. By the time you are thirsty you are already mildly dehydrated. Avoid outdoor activity between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on extremely hot days. Wear light-colored loose-fitting clothing. Never leave children or pets in a parked car even for a few minutes. Check on elderly neighbors during heat events as seniors are particularly vulnerable. July 4th Heat Warning: If you are attending outdoor July 4th events in Collin County this week plan carefully. Bring more water than you think you need. Wear sunscreen. Find shade when possible. Have a plan to leave if you or anyone in your group shows signs of heat exhaustion. NWS Alerts: Sign up for National Weather Service heat alerts specific to Collin County at weather.gov. You can also enable Wireless Emergency Alerts on your phone which will automatically notify you of extreme heat warnings in your area.