Did you know that extreme heat is the leading cause of weather-related death in the US?
When the temperatures climb, you and your family are at risk for a heat emergency. Heat emergencies are serious threats to your health, and if you don’t seek urgent care they can lead to lifelong complications and even fatalities.
If you have a broken HVAC system, you’re at an even greater risk of a heat emergency. That’s why we’re bringing you this guide to keeping cool when your AC isn’t working.
Ready to learn our top tips for avoiding a heat health crisis this summer? Then you better keep reading because this one’s for you.
Stay Inside and Keep Cool
The number one thing to do when it’s scorching outside is to stay indoors. Preferably, stay indoors at a location where there’s AC. But what do you do if your HCAV is in disrepair?
Ask friends and family members with working AC if you can hang out for the day. If that’s not an option, here’s how to cool your home with no AC:
- Keep windows and doors covered
- Shut doors to rooms you aren’t using as often
- Don’t use your oven
- Turn off the lights
- Place fans in cool rooms and angle them toward the hottest part of the house/room
- Place a bowl of ice in front of a fan
- Use a dehumidifier
- If it’s cool outside at night where you live, open the windows before bed
If you’ve tried all these options and still can’t find relief from the heat, it’s time to call for an AC repair. Our HVAC services can help you stay cool even on the hottest summer days.
Avoid a Heat Emergency
It’s critical to stay cool when outside temperatures climb to 90°F and above. Because if you don’t, you risk a heat emergency. The first step to avoiding a heat emergency is to recognize its stages:
- Heat rash: symptoms include red bumps on the skin that itch
- Heat cramps: symptoms include muscle tightness and pain
- Heat exhaustion: symptoms include cramps, dizziness, confusion, rapid breathing or heart rate, headache, vomiting, and more
- Heatstroke: symptoms include having a body temperature over 104°F, hallucinations, weak pulse, seizures, loss of consciousness, and more
Slow down and keep exertion to a minimum when there’s a heat advisory in your area. Avoid working outdoors if you can. If you can’t, take frequent breaks and have someone check on you periodically.
Stay hydrated to keep your body temperature stable. Drink plenty of water and avoid dehydrating products like caffeine, alcohol, and salty foods.
Wear light-colored clothing and stay out of the sun. Never sit in a vehicle during hot weather. Temperatures inside your car can get higher than they are outside, making a heat emergency even more likely.
Stay Safe on Hot Summer Days
When temperatures climb on hot summer days, try to keep cool and look out for the symptoms of a heat emergency. If you or a loved one is in the stages of a heat emergency, seek medical attention ASAP.
Want more tips about weather-proofing your home? We have more articles like this one on our blog. Check it out!
