Yard Work in the Texas Heat? Here’s What You Need to Know

(Mix 93-1) It's a fact of life as a homeowner or landowner, lawn maintenance comes with the territory of owning a home or land. It's just something that has to be done. If you live in the city and don't maintain your lawn, you could be fined by the city.

Mowing the yard and taking care of your lawn during the brutal Texas summer can be quite dangerous if you don't prepare your body for all the work you're about to do.

Lawn Maintenance Comes With the Heat

The hot Texas sun will quickly rob your body of the essentials to keep you cool, your sweat. As you sweat, it helps maintain your body temperature, and when you stop sweating, that's when things can become dangerous.

It doesn't matter if you're on a riding mower or using a self-propelled or manual lawn mower; you've got to prepare before going outdoors.

My Personal Experience With Heat Exhaustion

There have been times when mowing my yard that I started to feel the effects of heat exhaustion because I didn't hydrate enough before beginning the two-hour process of mowing my huge yard.

I could tell that my body was no longer producing sweat, and I was feeling very lathargic and had to take a break and cool down before finishing up in the punishing heat and humidity!

While outdoors this summer, you need to listen to your body and be aware of how the heat and humidity can affect you.

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Knowing the difference between Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke

With the combination of heat and humidity, it is challenging for our bodies to properly regulate our core body temperature. When we lose too much water and salt through perspiration, we can experience a heat-related illness. (University of Houston)

During times of extreme heat, it is important for us to stay hydrated and pay attention to what our bodies are telling us.

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What the National Weather Service Says About the Heat

When the temperatures and humidity get high to where it begins to affect people, the National Weather Service will issue any or all of the following advisories:

• Heat Advisory
• Extreme Heat Watch
• Extreme Heat Warning

Heat can be dangerous, and if you're not careful, you could potentially die from overheating your body.

Tips for Staying Safe During Outdoor Work

If you have any outdoor activities planned, make sure you drink plenty of water and stay hydrated so that your body can sweat. Find shade and try to stay out of direct sunlight. Whether those outdoor activities are for leisure, sports, work, or working in the yard, you could overheat your body quickly.