8 Tips to Try During Summer Sun Safety Month
July 30, 2024
Summer is one of the best times of the year. We enjoy days at the swimming pool, vacations at the beach, picnics at the park, and fun with the kids. It’s often just a pleasure to be outdoors.
Although, this year’s scorching heat has taken the cake when it comes to hot summers! For many of us, we’ve simply been trying to stay cool and safe. But still, summer wouldn’t be summer if we didn’t make time to be outside. So, with August being recognized as Summer Sun Safety Month, we’re taking the opportunity to share some cool, fun-in-the sun safety tips. Here are eight simple ways for staying safe outdoors (and chill inside, too) in these dog days of summer.
8 Cool Tips for Summer
There are many things we try to avoid during the summer months, including sunburn, overheating, and emergency AC repair! Keep these things in mind as the summer heat drags on.
1. Avoid Extreme Sun Exposure
According to the EPA, the sun’s rays are the strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Limit your time outdoors during these hours to prevent skin damage. If you’re an outdoor exerciser, do it in the early morning hours or after sundown.
2. Wear Sunscreen
Always wear sunscreen when you head outdoors, especially if you’re spending the day at the beach. The CDC recommends wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with 15 SPF or higher. If you’re spending the day at the beach, wear hats and utilize beach umbrellas to protect against sun exposure.
3. Practice Good HVAC Maintenance
How refreshing does it feel to walk into a cool home after a few hours in the sweltering heat? Well, tell you—it feels great! But if you ignore regular HVAC maintenance, you’re not going to have that chilled relief you adore. It’s critical to schedule an AC checkup before summer starts to ensure your system is working at its best. Of course, scheduling a tune-up now is fine too. Better late than never!
4. Wear Proper Eyewear
Protecting your eyes from the sun is important, too. On those sunny days, be sure you’re wearing sunglasses that offer proper UV protection. Choose eyewear that blocks both UVA and UVB rays from your eyes.
5. Don’t Do This to Your AC
When the days are hot, you might be tempted to mess with your system’s thermostat. Don’t. Keep the setting at a comfortable number (we recommend somewhere between 72 and 76) and let the system do its efficiency magic. Trying to jack the temperature down quickly will not cool your home any quicker and only makes your system work harder than it needs to. Lastly, don’t forget to change those air filters!
6. Wear Loose Clothing and Hydrate
When you head outside on super warm days, wear loose, light, breathable clothing. And take a water bottle with you. Hydrating is key on these hot summer days!
7. Keep Blinds Closed
Keep those curtains or blinds closed during the day. Blocking out the sun’s rays will keep that indoor space cooler and won’t overwork your cooling system.
8. Check Your Thermostat
Is it super sunny inside your family room? To ensure proper thermostat efficiency, make sure your thermostat is not in direct sunlight. It should always be placed on an inner wall away from direct sunlight so it can read the room’s temperature accurately and keep your room at a cool temp.
Brothers Is Here to Keep You Cool All Summer
As we continue to beat the heat this summer, don’t forget that Brothers is only a phone call away when you need AC repair services, air conditioning replacement, plumbing repair, and so much more. And it’s easy to schedule an appointment today! Stay cool!