Summer is a glorious time of the year. It’s a time for beach vacations, deck parties, and afternoons at the lake. There are also days when it’s best to dodge the summer heat by hanging out indoors. It can also be a hazardous time if you don’t properly prepare your home to battle the extreme external temperatures of summer. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are dangerous conditions ‘caused by the body becoming overheated, and it can occur anywhere, outside and inside. A heat stroke commands emergency medical care and, if if not taken care of immediately, may cause harm to your kidneys, heart, brain, and muscles, and in severe cases a heat stroke could result in death. So keep in mind Safety First, both inside and outside your home. Learn how you can keep yourself and your family safe from heat sickness this summer.
Recognize the symptoms
You can be careful but sometimes that’s not enough. Recognize the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat-related illnesses: nausea, fainting, headache, rapid heartbeat, pain in your chest, breathing problems, and more. If you are out of your home and have any of these symptoms, find air-conditioned shelter immediately. If you do have have improvement within 30 minutes or are having trouble breathing, loss of consciousness, or chest pains, call your doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital.
Have your A/C equipment checked as soon as possible
Proactively servicing your home’s AC will help escape a failure on the warmest summer days, when your A/C system is operating at full capacity all day and night for weeks and months. During an annual maintenance visit, an expert AC technician can typically avert an emergency by discovering troubles and replacing parts before they breakdown, and getting an ac tune up so it is ready to keep you cool all summer when its needed the most.
Dress lighter
Wear loose, lightweight clothing, especially when you’re going outside. Don’t wear dark shades, particularly black clothing, since dark colors retain heat. The color white reflects the sun and helps keep you cooler. It also helps to wear a wide-brimmed or gardening hat to help stop the sun from shining down on your face, and never layer clothing.
Hydrate
Keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of fluids, such as water or juice. Although you may not be thirsty, your body may still be 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 with alcohol or caffeine because they can add to dehydration.
To confirm your AC is in good working order and is equipped to keep your home cool in the event of an aircon repair emergency, call BW/Cook Service Experts. We are available 24/7/365 so whenever you need us, we are ready for you.