TAA urges members to participate
in its "Neighbors CARE" program and
combat heat-related injuries 

As temperatures begin to heat up around the state, it’s important to remember that even moderate prolonged heat can cause serious problems. 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 14 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 email and the Heat-Stress Precaution tips and other information that is available from your local apartment association and on TAA’s website at www.taa.org.  

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. 

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 unless absolutely necessary. Under state law, electricity, water and gas may not be cut off under any circumstances other than for bona fide repairs, construction or emergency. See the 2012-2013 TAA REDBOOK, pages 374, 377 and 383-384, or visit the Utilities Laws/Forms section of the TAA REDBOOK Online and search for "discontinuance or interruption of utilities."  

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.