Beat the Heat – ABC13 Houston

Beat the heat

It’s no secret: summer in Houston can be scorching! ABC13 and Air Tech Cooling and Plumbing have teamed up to bring you tips and information to keep your family and home comfortable during this high temperature season! Stay cool all summer and beat the Houston heat!

The Dangers of Extreme Heat

Heat cramps

– Heat cramps may be the first sign of heat illness and can lead to heat exhaustion or stroke.

– Symptoms: Painful muscle cramps and spasms, usually in the legs and abdomen, and profuse sweating.

– First aid: apply firm pressure to contracted muscles or massage gently to relieve spasms. Give the person small sips of water unless they complain of nausea, then stop giving the water.

– Seek medical attention immediately if cramps last more than an hour.

Heat exhaustion

– Symptoms: profuse sweating, weakness or fatigue, cold, pale and clammy skin; fast, weak pulse, muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, headache, fainting,

– First aid: Move the person to a cooler environment, preferably a well-air-conditioned room. Loosen clothing. Apply cool, damp cloths or have the person sit in a cool bath. Offer sips of water. If the person vomits more than once,

– See a doctor immediately if the person vomits, if symptoms worsen or last more than an hour.

Heatstroke

– Symptoms: Throbbing headache, confusion, nausea, dizziness, body temperature above 103°F, hot, red, dry or moist skin, rapid, pounding pulse, fainting, loss of consciousness.

– First Aid: Call 911 or take the victim to a hospital immediately. Heatstroke is a serious medical emergency. Delay can be fatal. Move the victim to a cooler environment, preferably air-conditioned. Reduce body temperature with cool cloths or bathing. Use a fan if the heat index is below 90°F (32°C). A fan can warm you up more at higher temperatures. DO NOT give fluids.

High risk

– Young children and infants are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness and death because their bodies are less able to adapt to heat than those of adults.

– Older adults, especially those with pre-existing conditions, taking certain medications, living alone or with limited mobility, and exposed to extreme heat, may experience multiple adverse effects.

– People with chronic illnesses are more likely to have a serious health problem during a heat wave than healthy people.

– Pregnant women are also at greater risk. Extreme heat events have been associated with birth complications, such as low birth weight, preterm birth and infant mortality, as well as congenital cataracts.

What to do in the event of a heatwave

Outdoor activities

– To slow down. Reduce, eliminate, or reschedule strenuous activities until the cooler part of the day. People particularly vulnerable to heat, such as children, infants, older adults (especially those who have pre-existing conditions, take certain medications, live alone or have limited mobility), people with chronic illnesses, and pregnant women should be kept in the coolest place available. not necessarily inside.

– Dress for summer. Wear light, loose, light-colored clothing to reflect the heat and sunlight.

– Reduce your exposure to direct sunlight. Sunburn reduces your body’s ability to dissipate heat.

– Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from ultraviolet light

Eat and drink

– Eat light, fresh, easy-to-digest foods, such as fruits or salads. If you’re bringing food, put it in a cooler or bring an ice pack. Don’t leave it in the sun. Meat and dairy products can spoil quickly in hot weather.

– Drink plenty of water (not too cold), non-alcoholic and decaffeinated drinks, even if you are not thirsty. If you are on a fluid-restricted diet or have a problem with water retention, consult a doctor before increasing your fluid intake.

– Do not take salt tablets unless advised by a doctor.

Return to calm

– Use air conditioners or spend time in air-conditioned places such as shopping malls and libraries.

– Use portable electric fans to exhaust hot air from rooms or draw in cooler air.

– Do not direct the airflow of portable electric fans toward you when the ambient temperature is above 90°F. The dry air blown will dehydrate you more quickly, endangering your health.

– Take a cool bath or shower.

Check the others

– Check on elderly, sick, or frail people who may need help coping with heat. Every year, dozens of children and countless pets die from hyperthermia left in parked vehicles. Protect your children, disabled adults, and pets during extreme heat waves.

– Do not leave valuable electronic equipment, such as mobile phones and GPS, in hot cars.

– Make sure rooms are well ventilated if using volatile chemicals.

– For more heat health tips, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Pets and Children

– Make sure pets have water and shade if outside

– Never leave animals or children in vehicles unattended

(Source: National Weather Service)

How to Keep Your Home Cool

Close your blinds

– Keep your blinds closed, especially on north and west facing windows, to significantly cool your home. Better yet, invest in blackout curtains to protect your home from the harsh summer sun.

Block the heat

– Firstly, preventing heat from entering your home means spending less on air conditioning. Shade windows and walls with exterior coverings, such as blinds, awnings or large potted plants. Plant deciduous trees that cast shade on your home in summer, while letting the sun shine through in winter. If you can, invest in tinted windows and add insulation to your ceiling: this will also help you retain heat in winter.

Adjusting Ceiling Fans

– Use ceiling fans to cool your home and put less strain on your air conditioning

Close doors and seal gaps

Close doors to rooms you’re not using to keep fresh air where you need it most. Seal gaps around doors and windows and use draught excluders to ensure fresh air can’t escape.

Relax, don’t relax

– Sip iced drinks, apply a damp cloth to your neck and other pressure points on your body, or take a cold shower to cool your body without the need to abuse the air conditioning.

Choose cotton

– Cotton fabrics are very breathable and help cool your body. Wear light, loose-fitting clothes made from breathable fabrics like cotton and equip your bed with cotton sheets.

Change your light bulbs

– If you’re having trouble air conditioning your home and you don’t understand why, light bulbs could be the cause. Incandescent and halogen bulbs are being phased out in Australia, but many homes still use them. They produce a lot of heat, so opting for energy-saving bulbs like LED lights can help you cool your home and save a lot of energy – it’s a win-win!

(Source: Department of Environment and Water)

Repair your air conditioning

– Make sure your air conditioning unit is working properly. Consult an expert for maintenance schedules and concerns. Air Tech A/C and Plumbing can schedule a repair or set up a time to check your air conditioning to make sure it is equipped for summer.

-Get more advice for your air conditioning unit from the experts at Air Tech A/C and Plumbing

Air Tech A/C and Colling are proud to sponsor Beat the Heat on ABC13

From air conditioning repairs, installations and maintenance to indoor air quality and attic insulation, our team at Air Tech of Houston AC & Plumbing is committed to providing you with the 5-star quality service you deserve every time. We’ve even expanded our team to provide our high-quality air conditioning services from Conroe to Galveston! Learn more