Though the super hot weather of the summer is seemingly behind us, we still have several more weeks of heat to go. Heat waves aren’t uncommon, particularly in West Texas. However, if you aren’t careful, they can be incredibly dangerous. How can you plan on staying safe during summer heat waves? We’re here to fill you in.
What Is A Heat Wave?
noun
a prolonged period of abnormally hot weather.
Stay Hydrated
Periods of intensely hot weather are incredibly dehydrating. You sweat more, which is a natural mechanism to help your body cool itself. However, sweating also causes you to lose fluids. It’s important to drink lots of cool water frequently to replenish those liquids.
Service Your A/C
Just like your car, it’s important to conduct regular maintenance on your air conditioner. By scheduling season services with D&D, we can inspect and repair any issues before your air conditioner crashes during a heat wave.
Stay Informed
Though weather forecasts aren’t 100% accurate, it’s important to stay informed about temperatures, humidity, and heat indexes. Any combination of these measurements can make a 90° day feel like it’s over 100°. Make sure that you know the weather so that you can plan (and dress) accordingly.
Do A Vehicle Double-Check
It’s important to take another glance through your vehicle to make sure you haven’t left behind anything. High temperatures can be deadly to children, pets, and plants that have been locked in vehicles. Additionally, make sure you don’t leave any food items behind. Food and heat make for a very smelly combination.
Create An Emergency Plan
Just like stormy conditions, it’s important to have a plan in case the air conditioning goes out. Many times, electric grids experience maxed out capacity during times of high heat. This can cause blackouts. Here are a few suggestions:
- Have plenty of bottled water on hand.
- Do not open refrigerators or freezers.
- Cover windows with towels or curtains to block sunlight.
- Establish a place to go in case the electricity does not come back on (hotel, family member’s home, etc.)
- Know where to find areas of shade and/or air conditioning.
Animal Awareness
Make sure that outdoor pets have shelter and plenty of fresh water. If you think it’s hot, imagine battling the same heat in a fur coat!
Be A Cool Dresser
Avoid dark clothing, as it has a tendency to “absorb” heat. Opt for flowy, breathable fabrics such as rayon, linen, or cotton in lighter colors. Another plus of lighter fabrics is that they don’t attract pesky mosquitos as much as dark colors.
Staying safe during summer heat waves doesn’t have to be complicated. Following these easy steps can make sure you and your loved ones are healthy and safe, no matter the weather. Remember that D&D can help with all of your air conditioning needs, whether it’s new installations, repairs, or service. Contact us today.