Summer is an exciting time of the year. It’s a time for beach vacations, backyard barbeques, and weekends at the lake. There are also days when it’s best to avoid the summer heat by staying inside. It can also be a risky time if you don’t properly prepare your home to combat the extreme outside temperatures of summer. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are dangerous conditions ‘that can take place when the body becomes overheated, and it can occur anywhere, outside or in your home. A heat stroke commands emergency medical care and, if untreated, may cause damage to your brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles, and in severe cases a heat stroke could be deadly. So remember Safety First, both outside and inside your house. Discover how you can make sure you and your family are safe from overheating this summer.
Know the indicators
You can take precautions but things can still go wrong. Recognize the indicators of heat exhaustion and heat-related sicknesses: nausea, dizziness, headache, rapid heartbeat, pain in your chest, issues with breathing, and more. If you are out of your home and exhibit any of these symptoms, go into air-conditioned shelter immediately. If you do have have improvement within 30 minutes or are having breathing problems, loss of consciousness, or pain in your chest, call your doctor as soon as possible or go to the nearest ER.
Have your home’s AC checked immediately
Proactively maintaining your home’s air conditioner will help prevent a breakdown on the warmest summer days, when your A/C system is functioning at maximum capacity all day and night for weeks and months. During an annual maintenance visit, an expert air conditioning technician can typically avoid an emergency by finding issues and replacing parts before they give out, and getting an ac tune up so it works like new again during the heat of summer when you want it most.
Dress lighter
Wear loose, lightweight clothing, particularly when you’re going to be outside. Avoid wearing dark hues, especially black clothing, since dark colors absorb heat. The color white reflects the sun and helps keep you cooler. It’s also a great idea to invest in a wide-brimmed or gardening hat to help stop the sun from shining down on your face, and avoid layering clothing.
Hydrate
Help keep you and your loved ones hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, such as water or juice. Just because you are not thirsty doesn’t mean your body isn’t in need of hydration so try bringing a water bottle with you everywhere you go. When heat waves come in or it’s the middle of the day, avoid drinks containing caffeine or alcohol since they can contribute to dehydration.
To make sure your air conditioner is in good shape and is equipped to keep your family cool if there’s an aircon repair emergency, call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We are available around the clock so whenever you need us, we’re there for you.