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Don't you just love to putter around in your yard, your flower beds, herb gardens and vegetable gardens? Since the "microburst"Ï took out our tree eight years ago, I've been working on creating a cool oasis in our backyard, which just happens to get direct sunlight because it faces south.
I love to be outside from the time the spring is warm enough until autumn gets cold. It's my reading place, my writing place, my crochet place, my go-to place. I begin many mornings enjoying a cup of tea and quiet time before traffic begins to move. That's also my journaling time. But when the mercury starts to rise, and the sun gets hot, it's time to go inside and cuddle close to my air conditioner. Ceiling fans are favored, as well.
One of our daughters expressed concerns about anticipated black-outs and brown-outs this summer, which is forecast to be one of the hottest. Hmm. What's that going to do to the plan to stay cool and healthy?
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) states that more than 700 people die each year because of extreme heat. I don't want to be one of them. Neither do you. We all don't live secluded within a wood along a country road. Trees do help to control the temperature at a comfortable level there. (As I said, our sentry is gone.)
Anyone can be affected by extreme heat, however those at highest risk are people age 65 and older, children younger than 2, and people with chronic diseases or mental illness or substance misuse. What can we all do to navigate summer heat safely? Are we drinking enough water, staying hydrated? Do we have access to air conditioning? Do we need help keeping cool?
What if we don't have access to air conditioning? Or a pool in the backyard? We are in this together, so we need to check on family, friends and neighbors and we need them to check on us, too. We need to bump up our water intake, even if we don't feel thirsty. If there are health reasons against drinking more water, talk to your doctor so you know how to take care of Self.
Dehydration can be a sneaky kind of thing, especially when your body doesn't regulate heat and cold the way it used to.
Block the windows. I have miniblinds. Close the curtains. Use insulated curtains to keep the heat out. When the sun goes down, open the doors and windows to let cooler air in. You can use one fan to push hot air out of the house and a second one to pull cooler air in.
Don't stand with your fridge open. If there is a power outage you don't know how long that will last. Don't cook with your oven or stove-top which will heat up the house. Maybe it's a good night to have a fire in the pit and roast hotdogs and make S'mores.
A cool, not cold, shower is recommended.
It's too late to think about planting trees that will grow relatively quickly to shield the house from the sun. We surely miss our oak tree. The hottest time of the day is between 3 and 5 p.m.
Close off the hottest rooms of your home, sealing the door sill with a rolled-up towel.
Recognize the signs of heat illness.
Fans do not reduce body temperature or prevent heat-related illness.
Know where to go to access air conditioning.
Contact HEAP if you cannot afford cooling costs.
You are the only you that there is. Take care of yourself.
Family Recovery Center offers mental health services as well as addiction services. The goal is for the health and well-being of all. For more information about the education, prevention and treatment programs for substance abuse and related behavioral issues, contact the agency at 964 N. Market St., Lisbon; phone, 330-424-1468; or email, info@familyrecovery.org. Visit the website at familyrecovery.org. FRC is funded in part by the Centers for Disease Control.