Summer is an incredible season. It’s a time for family vacations, deck parties, and afternoons at the lake. There are also instances when it’s best to avoid the summer heat by spending the day in an air conditioned home or building. It can also be a dangerous time if you don’t take the right precautions to 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, outdoors or indoors. A heat stroke demands emergency medical care and, if treatment is not received, may cause damage to your kidneys, heart, brain, and muscles, and in intense cases a heat stroke could be deadly. So remember Safety First, both indoors and outdoors. Find out how you can keep yourself and your family safe from overheating this summer.
Know the symptoms
You can be diligent but sometimes that’s not enough. Recognize the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat-related ailments: nausea, fainting, headache, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, trouble breathing, and more. If you are outside and have any of these symptoms, go into air-conditioned shelter straightaway. If you are not feeling better within 30 minutes or are having breathing problems, loss of consciousness, or chest pains, call your doctor immediately or go to the nearest ER.
Have your A/C equipment checked immediately
Proactive service your home’s A/C equipment will help avoid a malfunction on the warmest summer days, when your A/C system is functioning at full capacity around the clock for weeks and months. During a proactive maintenance visit, an expert A/C system technician can normally avert an emergency by finding problems and replacing parts before they go out, and getting an ac tune up so it is in tip-top shape during the heat of summer when you need it the most.
Dress lighter
Wear loose, lightweight fabric, particularly when you’re going outside. Stay away from dark shades, especially black clothing, since dark colors hold heat. The color white helps keep you cooler by reflecting the sun. It also helps to wear a wide-brimmed or gardening hat to help stop the sun from shining down on your face, and avoid layering clothing.
Stay Hydrated
Help keep you and your loved ones hydrated by drinking lots of fluids, especially water or juice. Although you may not be thirsty, your body may still be in need of hydration so try to keep a water bottle with you always. When it’s exceptionally hot, especially during mid-day, steer clear of drinks with alcohol or caffeine because they can add to dehydration.
To make sure your air conditioner is in good shape and is ready to keep your family cool in the event of an aircon repair emergency, call Stevenson Service Experts. We are available 24/7/365 so whenever you need us, we are here for you.