Summer is a wonderful time of the year. It’s a time for family vacations, patio parties, and evenings at the lake. There are also instances when it’s best to escape the summer heat by spending the day in an air conditioned home or building. It can also be a risky time if you don’t properly prepare your home to accommodate the extreme external temperatures of summer. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are urgent conditions ‘caused by the body becoming overheated, and it can occur anywhere, outdoors or indoors. A heat stroke needs emergency medical treatment and, if treatment is not received, may cause harm to your kidneys, heart, brain, and muscles, and in extreme cases a heat stroke may be fatal. So think Safety First, both outside and inside your house. Find out how you can keep your loved ones safe from heat sickness this summer.
Understand the indicators
You can be careful but things can still go wrong. Understand the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat-related conditions: nausea, feeling faint, headache, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, trouble breathing, and more. If you are outside and have any of these symptoms, seek air-conditioned shelter straightaway. If you do have have improvement within 30 minutes or are having breathing problems, loss of consciousness, or pain in your chest, call your doctor immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.
Have your A/C equipment checked ASAP
Proactive maintenance of your home’s AC will help avoid a breakdown on the hottest summer days, when your air conditioning system is running at full capacity around the clock for weeks and months. During a routine maintenance service, an expert air conditioning technician can usually avert an emergency by discovering troubles and replacing parts before they breakdown, and getting an ac tune up so it is ready to keep you cool during the heat of summer when you want it most.
Dress lighter
Wear loose, lightweight clothing, particularly when you’re going outside. Avoid wearing dark hues, particularly black clothing, since dark colors absorb heat. The color white is a better choice since it reflects the sun. It’s also a great idea to wear a wide-brimmed or gardening hat to help stop the sun from shining down on your face, and never layer clothing.
Hydrate
Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, especially water or juice. Just because you are not thirsty doesn’t mean your body isn’t in need of hydration so try carrying a water bottle with you always. During a heat wave or peak heat of the day, avoid drinks that include alcohol or caffeine since they can accelerate dehydration.
To confirm your air conditioner is in good working order and is prepared to keep your home cool in case of an aircon repair emergency, call Gordon's Service Experts. We are available around the clock so whenever you need us, we are here for you.