Extreme Heat
When I was a senior in high school, my family and I moved to Las Vegas….In the MIDDLE of JULY!!! Wow! Talk about hot! With temperatures ranging, on average, between 102 degrees and 117 degrees, well, let’s just say it wasn’t the most comfortable summer I’ve experienced. Not only did we move there in the worst part of the season, but we also moved there with a car that had NO air conditioning! How we survived that summer, I couldn’t tell you, but I know now how to be prepared in case I am ever in a situation of extreme heat.
Extreme heat can kill. Simple as that. We see it all the time on the news…children being left in cars “just for a minute.” There are many things you can do to prepare you and your family in case of extreme heat. Most heat disorders happen when the victim has been over-exposed to heat or has over-exercised for his or her physical ability. Older adults, younger children, and those who are sick are more likely to suffer from heat disorders.
If you live in areas of the world that are prone to extreme heat, try using these ideas to help you prepare your home.
- Install window air conditioners snugly; insulate if necessary.
- Check air-conditioning ducts for proper insulation.
- Install temporary window reflectors (for use between windows and drapes), such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, to reflect the heat back outside.
- Weather-strip doors and sills to keep cool air in.
- Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings, or louvers. (Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 80 percent.)
- Keep storm windows up all year.
- Also, it’s a great idea to check up on your elderly loved ones who might be in extreme heat situations. Make sure they are taking proper precautions to stay cool and healthy.
- And always, always make sure you have water stored in your car in case you are stranded in the heat.
