Heat Wave Safety

8/16/2022 (Permalink)

No cloud cover and excessive heat? Make sure to keep shaded and hydrated!

North Texas is still in the midst of a brutal heat wave. While relief is coming soon in the form of much-needed rain and cloud cover, the days leading up to it will be incredibly hot and humid. A heat wave can best be defined as a period of excessively hot weather, sometimes accompanied by humidity. Heat waves can be dangerous as they can heat up metal outdoors to burning temperatures, cause prolonged periods of drought, and even heat exhaustion in people. Here are some handy tips and precautions to keep in mind during a heat wave:

• Staying hydrated is key. Make sure to drink plenty of water, and avoid sugary or caffeinated drinks/foods, as they can cause you to become more thirsty/hungry.
• Make sure to have adequate supplies of food, water, and medicine in case of emergencies.
• Keeping your home cool can help provide relief during a heat wave. Drapes to cover the windows, weather strips on doors and windows, and insulation against the heat can help make your home a refreshingly cool safe haven.
• NEVER leave children or pets in a vehicle unattended. Temperatures inside vehicles can trend 10 or 20 degrees higher than the outdoor temperature.
• Stay healthy. Heat waves are a type of disaster and can prove to be mentally draining, so eating healthy foods and staying hydrated can help create some peace of mind.

For more information on how to beat the heat and staying safe during a heat wave, Red Cross has a page on heat waves and treating heat-related illnesses. Knowledge is a vital tool in keeping safe. Also, in the event of heat-related damage to your home such as a fire, keeping the AC running with a duct cleaning, or mitigating water damage from broken water pipes, SERVPRO of Kaufman County / Mesquite is always ready to help make it "Like It Never Even Happened".