Now that temperatures are beginning to heat up around the state, it's important to remember that even moderate prolonged heat can cause serious problems around the state.

According to state experts, one of the most important ways to fight heat-stress problems is for neighbors to look out for their neighbors.

In that spirit, and because apartment communities offer the advantages of neighbors living in close proximity to each other, the Texas Apartment Association is continuing the "Neighbors CARE" program, originally launched 10 years ago.

The "Neighbors CARE" program promotes rental housing resident awareness of heat stress and encourages residents to CARE for their neighbors to help minimize the potential of someone suffering heat stress. We're asking you to participate in this program by sharing the "Neighbors CARE" message included in this article and our "Heat-stress precaution tips" and "Tips for our residents" (also available in Spanish).

In addition, we have developed a tip sheet for members.

The "Neighbors CARE" message is simple. It encourages all rental housing residents to:

Check on your neighbors daily--especially the elderly, who may be more susceptible to heat stress, and those on fixed incomes who may be concerned about expensive utility bills.

Always take precautions to prevent heat stress. Remember, everyone is susceptible to the effects of heat stress.

Report any concerns you have about the health and safety of your neighbors to the proper authorities. Report any problems with air conditioning equipment promptly to management.

Educate yourself, your friends and neighbors about the signs of heat stress, and steps to prevent it.

Utility companies around the state will work with customers on deferred billing arrangements and payment plans. Public Utility Commission (PUC) rules prohibit electric companies from disconnecting electrical service during extreme weather.

Disconnections also are prohibited in many cases when ill or disabled residents are involved, or if the resident receives emergency assistance to pay utility bills. PUC rules limit disconnections in similar circumstances when electricity is submetered or allocated. According to the PUC, most utilities go beyond the requirements of the rule by using their own more stringent criteria or suspending disconnections altogether.

In light of that fact, and the health and safety issues that could arise from utility disconnects during times of extreme temperatures, we strongly encourage our members not to exercise any legal rights to disconnect electricity until any heat emergency has passed. (Statutory authority to disconnect electricity is only applicable in limited situations.) We encourage our members to exercise other legal remedies to secure payment of rent or other sums.

Remember, if you do plan to disconnect electricity in accordance with the PUC and statutory rules, you must follow strict guidelines, and you must follow the same rules regarding billing options and disconnections that apply to utilities in cases of extreme weather. Water utilities may not be cut off under any circumstances other than for bona fide repairs, construction or emergency. See the 2008-2009 TAA REDBOOK, pages 189, 192, 198 and 224.

For the same reasons, we encourage members to respond sensitively to air conditioning repair requests. While availability of labor and materials may necessitate some delays, we encourage you to respond to these repair requests as promptly as the situation warrants and is possible under the circumstances of your particular property and location. Most utility companies also sponsor bill check-off programs that allow customers to contribute to funds to assist elderly, ill and low-income individuals with their utility bills. Some utility companies or other community groups organize fan drives or other programs to distribute air cooling equipment to low-income or elderly individuals. We encourage you to participate in these programs as well, and urge you to promote participation in them to your residents.

For more information, contact TAA or your local apartment association.