As the summer heat intensifies, it’s crucial to ensure your home and family are safe.
Outdoor activities increase, pool days are frequent, and the air conditioning system is pumping as hard as it can to keep your home cool. Summertime opens the door to dangerous situations, and it’s important to be aware of them.
Keep Cool at Home
While there are no definitive statistics on how many air conditioning systems break each summer, industry experts have concluded that months with peak heat temperatures see the most AC unit breakdowns; they are overworked and overstressed, trying to keep spaces cool. Ensuring your air conditioner is in good condition and maintaining it regularly by cleaning or replacing filters can help improve its efficiency and keep your home cool. If you don’t have an air conditioner, you can use fans or open windows during cooler parts of the day.


Stay Hydrated
Dehydration is a common issue during the summer. According to the National Health Institution, 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. Imagine the increase in dehydration when adding in the summer heat.
Drink water regularly throughout the day, even if you’re not thirsty. Avoid beverages that can dehydrate you, such as alcohol and caffeine. Foods like watermelon, cucumber, celery, lettuce, and cantaloupe can also provide a boost of hydration due to the high levels of water in them.
Fighting Fire
The risk of fires increases in the summer months because of the high temperatures and dry weather conditions. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), grilling causes 10,600 home fires each year, and between 2017 and 2021, most incidents occurred in the peak summer months of May, June, July, and August.
When using a grill, make sure to keep it at least 10 feet away from your home and anything flammable. Never leave it unattended, and make sure to keep a fire extinguisher or fire blanket nearby in case of an emergency. When not in use, keep gasoline and propane in well-ventilated areas and away from your home.


Poolside Safety
Pool use, especially by children, increases in the summer months. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children aged 1 to 4. It’s important to always supervise children to prevent an accident from happening. Utilize barriers such as fences, self-latching and self-locking gates, and pool covers to prevent unsupervised access to the pool. If an accident does occur, knowing how to do CPR could save a life. Consider taking a CPR course to learn how to do it, and always keep a first aid kit nearby. Find a local CPR class at www.redcross.org.
Safety First, Summer Second
By taking these home safety measures, you can help protect yourself and your loved ones from the dangers of the summer heat. Stay cool, stay hydrated, and stay safe. A little preparation can go a long way in ensuring a safe and enjoyable summer.
According to SafeHome.org, between June and August 2023, nearly 200,000 children suffered injuries |