With the summer approaching you would be wise to start looking at whether or not there are forecasts of heat waves across the country. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to bask in glorious sunshine, but sometimes the sun can be a monster and the heat waves that flash across the country can cripple emergency services and put communities out of action. There is a difference between hot summer weather and a heat wave, and a heat wave is actually a natural disaster that can be very dangerous.
Knowing how to cope with the heat wave and knowing the benefits of a home backup generator in case a heat wave causes a power outage that lasts for several weeks is important. Heat waves are a prolonged period of unusually high temperatures, and we are not just talking a few degrees above normal, we’re talking several degrees above normal. Heat waves often last more than three days and can be up to 10° above average.
Heat waves can be damaging to homes, they can even melt the road. They are that severe. If you consider how hot it can be in the summer, all you need to do is consider that without any breeze and double the amount of heat you can feel suffocated. Heat waves can negatively affect the very young and very old so here are the things that you can do to prepare yourself.
- Think about your windows. In a heatwave, the windows of the house can crack and split, especially if the glass isn’t stable. You should ensure that your windows are well insulated and if you can upgrade to double glazing, go for it and see the difference made.
- Insulate your AC and clean out the filters. You need your AC running smoothly and having an AC that isn’t running is going to be unbearable in the house. Paying an expert to do all this for you is just smart decision making and will ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. Cleaning out the filters will also ensure that your AC is optimized and won’t burn out.
- Install blackout blinds and light drapes. If you have the budget, upgrade your blinds to blackout versions. This will keep the light and heat away from each room and ensure that you don’t end up feeling like you’re sitting in an oven throughout the day. You’ll also prevent any cooler air in the house that comes from the AC stays inside the house at all times.
- Weather stsripping. When was the last time you weather-stripped your doors? You want to ensure that the heat is kept out and the cool air is kept in and that’s much easier to achieve when you upgrade the weatherstripping on the doors.
- Know where you will spend your time. If the summer months are the time the kids are home from school, it will help you to be more aware of where everyone is in the family. You can then keep track of each person and ensure that you are all educated on heat safety. Know when you should be indoors and when you should be outside, and if you are outside, ensuring that everyone is sticking to heat-safe advice and avoiding the peak times of the day.
- Get equipped. You know that heat waves can cause a power outage, so you need to check whether or not you have the right disaster kit contents in case. Are your generators working? Do you have spare batteries and water? Are you equipped for food if you can’t get to a store? All of these questions are vital in ensuring that you are as safe as possible.
- Keep up with the forecasts. Whether you use a radio or the TV, keeping up with local weather reports is important. You need to ensure that you are able to stay safe in a high heat index and that you know what the UV levels are for each day. You need a standby generator ready, too, in case the heat exhausts your power and your AC stops running.
- Keep hydrated. You need plenty of water throughout a heatwave, which is why it’s smart to make sure that you have some stored in the house. You don’t have to panic buy this, just add an extra crate to your usual weekly groceries and you’ll be just fine. Hot weather makes you sweat, and you need to replenish that fluid or you will overheat and your body won’t cope.
- Make sure that you are stocked for sunscreen and hats. Every single family member needs to know the rules of how to care for their body during a heat wave. This means keeping a good stock of sunscreen that has high UV protection in the house and ensuring that you have hats for everyone to protect their heads.
- Check on your family. Older members of society are more affected by the hot weather than the youngsters in the mix, and it’s important that you know if anyone has lost out on their AC. If you know someone is experiencing issues related to the heat, get them help quickly because too much of it can kill.
- Know how to cool off smartly. As well as the AC usage you need to learn how to cool off properly. That means understanding that ice cold washcloths on your face probably won’t be a great idea, but cool washcloths on your wrists will help to bring cooled blood back to your heart. The body is very smart, and too much cold water can cause a shock.
- Know your shelters. If your home loses power, you need to know where to go. Get to know the local shelters or safe spaces run by the emergency services to help you to stay safe in a heat wave. You should know how to be safe – just in case the heat intensifies and fires start to happen. Yes, they can be spontaneous in a heat wave!
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