Four heat-related deaths reported in Tarrant County so far this month

Four heat-related deaths reported in Tarrant County

So far this month, the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office reports four people have died because of the heat.

FORT WORTH, Texas - So far this month, the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office reports four people have died because of the heat.

Two people were working outdoors, while the other two were inside without working air conditioning.

MedStar said those are two main categories of calls they respond to.

The third category is for calls involving people doing activities outside, like playing sports or doing yard work.

"Our response volumes in patients that we have treated for heat-related illness has not gone down. It’s stayed pretty consistent," said Matt Zavadsky, with MedStar. "We know that people are still pushing their limits and suffering from a heat-related illness every day."

One of the victims was just 26 years old, while the other three were in the 70s.

"We’ve had several cases where people over 70 or 80 years old have suffered a pretty significant heat-related illness because they’ve been in their home or in their apartment where it is 81, 82 degrees or more," Zavadsky said.

Meals on Wheels in Tarrant County is trying to help where it can.

The organization is installing air-conditioning units for clients who volunteers see are in need.

"If they see someone’s house is a little warmer than it should be, or the client just isn’t looking well, we’re able to provide that immediate help to them," said Philip Gonzalez, with Meals On Wheels Tarrant County.

This is part of the TXU Energy "Beat the Heat" program.

So far this summer, Meals on Wheels has installed 50 AC units.

"It’s an amazing feeling to know we’re helping out one of our clients who’s been on our program for a while. To know that she’s going to be able to survive this heat with this new window unit," Gonzalez said.

Zavadsky wants people to remember muscle cramps, fatigue, dizziness, and sweating are all symptoms of heat-related illness.

Children and the elderly are more susceptible to the heat.

A lot of heat illness in elderly people is due to lack of AC in their homes.

If you have a loved one or a neighbor who lives alone and may not run the AC all the time, you’re encouraged to check on them.

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office said the number of deaths related to heat could increase after more lab tests come back.

There was a break from the excessive heat this weekend, but next week, when the triple digit heat returns, people need to remember that those temperatures can be dangerous.

When temperatures ramp back up, first responders like MedStar are preparing for an increase in calls for heat-related illness.

"This is not a time for people to become complacent with those very important heat-related precautions," Zavadsky said.