Summer is here, and it’s hard to avoid when the temperature spikes so much that you feel it wherever you go, even in your own home. As much as it can be an excellent time for barbecues and chilling in the garden with family and friends, it can be a nuisance, too. More than just annoying, it can be a real health hazard. As such, we’re going to look at a few tips to make sure that you’re keeping the home and the family safe and healthy. It requires a little more effort than usual.
Know when to stay inside
The sunshine and right, blue skies might be calling, but that doesn’t mean you have to jump to get out in them. The weather can be unpredictable, and that doesn’t just mean sunshine. Summer storms can get violent, as well, and unsafe. As such, you should always keep up with weather reports, and pay extra close attention if you’re planning to take any trips. Dress accordingly for the weather that you can expect and, otherwise, consider whether or not a trip outdoors is really worth it if the weather is getting overly hot or if the chances of a storm are higher than usual.
Put on plenty of sunscreens
Regardless of what shade your skin is, or how sunny or hot you expect it to be, you should always go outside with some protection. Sunburn is unpleasant enough, but no matter who you are, the risk of skin cancer developing due to excess exposure to the sun is always something to be mindful of. As such, you should always keep high-quality, high-UV protection sunscreen on hand. Of course, staying covered from the heat is wise, as well, hats, long sleeves, and covering for your legs, whether it’s leggings, a skirt, or otherwise. Do be especially vigilant with children, as it’s not impossible they might try to slip outside without stopping for some protection, first. If they’re going outside, they should have sunscreen, full stop.
Stay hydrated
No matter where you go, you should make sure that you have water on hand. Hydration is more important than ever in the heat, especially if you or the family are outdoors, exercising, playing, or doing anything that requires physical activity. No matter how fit you might be, if you get dehydrated, your health will be at risk. If you’re at home, make regular trips for cool, fresh water. If you’re out and about, then pack a refillable water bottle and bring it with you, wherever you go. Try to avoid drinking too many sugary or alcoholic drinks, as these can have the opposite of the desired effect, causing the body to lose moisture even faster. The sun can also contribute to brain fog. To prevent this, not only should you stay hydrated, but you should also consider supplementing your body with vitamins. Exploring various vitamins for brain fog can be beneficial.
Be careful of heatstroke
It’s not just the sun that’s a big risk and while dehydration is a serious concern, the high temperatures themselves can be dangerous in their own right. Heat exhaustion and heatstroke can hit anyone, regardless of age, so be sure to check the weather forecast for health warnings if you feel it starting to get hotter. If you experience symptoms of heatstroke or see a family member or friend experiencing them, then you should call for emergency attention. You should also get them inside or into the shade, and cool them however you can, be it by taking off excessive clothing or by cooling them with a cool shower or even ice packs. Prevention by staying out of the heat and staying hydrated is the best strategy, but you should know how to handle a health stroke emergency, too.
Consider installing some cooling
The demand for cooler homes is shooting through the roof as the annual average temperatures in the summer are on the rise. Even regions that never needed too much help keeping cool in the past have started to see more people looking for a way to make the home a more comfortable place to be. Nowadays, cooling the home isn’t just for comfort, it’s for the good of your health. Avoiding heat stroke and dehydration is a lot easier when you’re able to stay cooler, and options like water air conditioning can provide a more convenient and energy-efficient way to do it. Make sure that you install any cooling appliances with the help of experts, not only for safety, but to help you figure out how much cooling you need per room, given the space of each.
Keep that airflow clean
While the tips above can help you cool the home down and improve your airflow, you should make sure that you keep a keen eye on any ventilation or air conditioning that you have installed. Over time, dust and other allergens can build up, clogging up your vents, which means that the air circulating through them is going to become more stuffy with these unwanted pollutants, as well. Make sure that you change your vents when they’re starting to look a little less fresh and have your AC maintained at least once a year to make sure that it stays both clean and efficient. Otherwise, it could be your own home that’s at risk of making you sick.
Watch out for bugs
Most of the time, bug bites are an annoyance. But they can be dangerous as well, especially in the case of mosquitoes, which can carry bloodborne diseases. The same goes for ticks. It’s not common that they’re disease carriers, but it’s worth being vigilant all the same. Using insect repellent containing DEET is the most effective method known, and while some parents may be concerned with using it around their children, there hasn’t been any statistical evidence that there’s any danger to using it as instructed. If you have too many insects around your home, then you might want to look at pest removal services to get to the cause.
With the tips above, you can make sure that your family is doing everything you can to stay healthy and enjoy the summer, rather than having it pose some real problems for you and yours.
Disclosure: This is a featured post.