I wanted to share a few tips on “beating the heat” this year…
Here we are in the middle of Summer, and the country’s engulfed yet again in another cyclical ‘heat wave.’ With the vast majority of states now feeling the effects of 90-100˚-plus temperatures, people are reeling indoors from the unbearable record-breaking temperatures.
Every year there’s an extraordinary amount of morons who leave their kids or pets in vehicles as someone runs indoors somewhere, somehow forgetting the one left to battle the 125˚ (and beyond) temperatures inside the car. Even at 70 degrees, the temperature inside of a car can exceed 120 degrees… even with windows partially open.
Back in June, the 500th child died in a vehicle since 1998, with 49 in 2010 alone. Even in their own backyard, children and pets are finding it difficult to stay in the shade and remain well hydrated. Children under 2 are especially at risk due to extreme heat, accounting for roughly 75% of all (locked inside a) vehicle deaths.
Even if you don’t click a link, here’s a few tips to help avoid these unnecessary deaths and keep your children safe:
- Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle (not even for a minute).
- Check the car to make sure that all occupants leave the vehicle or are carried out when unloading. If you lock the door with a key, rather than with a remote, it would force that one last look in the car before leaving it.
- Always lock your car and keep keys and remotes away from children.
- Keep a stuffed animal in the front passenger seat as a reminder of a child in the backseat.
- Place something in the backseat that you would need, such as a purse, briefcase or cell phone.
- Have a plan that your childcare provider will call you if your child does not show up.
- If you see a child alone in a car especially if they seem hot call, 911 to help get them out.
I’ve personally learned the value of an evaporative cooler during the past week – both for its cooling effect as well as cost – learning that setting your thermostat a few degrees higher not only saves 2-3% for each degree off your bill; increasing the longevity of your A/C, but it also helps circulate some much-needed moisture in an otherwise “dry heat”… or so says the Auditor from my local power company. In addition, one misconception I had was that leaving ceiling fans on only raises your bill – not so. It turns out the average runs you only a penny per hour – or 43 KwH per year. Conclusion: Keep ‘em ON.
Here in Las Vegas (where it’s always a matter of going from one extreme temperature to the next), believe me… every cost-cutting measure counts.
Don’t neglect your A/C: Clean or replace the filter in room and central air conditioners about once a month during the summer. If you have central air-conditioning, have the ducts checked for leaks, which can reduce a system’s efficiency by as much as 15 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Seal any cracks between a window unit and the frame with peelable caulking or a sealant strip. These steps help ensure good airflow and keep the coils cleaner, which means more efficient and more effective cooling. A general “tune-up” will vary in cost but serve you well; provided you aren’t in need of a new unit or continue to ‘maintain’ an already dilapidated one. If you’re dumping money into “fixing” it every year or so (I had that problem for three summers before breaking down and buying a new one with a better “SEER” rating – or “Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio”), you’d might as well be walking around your home in your undies. Chances are when it does, you will be… for the 90+ degree temps at night.
“This heat is dangerous on many levels,” said Jack Hayes, director of the National Weather Service. “Temperatures and humidity levels are high, the heat will be prolonged, and very warm temperatures overnight won’t provide any respite. All of these factors make this an unhealthy situation.”
Stay indoors… it’s going to be a rough heat spell.
