Stay Out of the Danger Zone: 10 Tips for Keeping Your Home Safe During a Heat Wave
Forget hurricanes, floods or to burn. Facts from the National Weather Service shows that heat waves kill more Americans than any other major weather event. Our bodies struggle to cope with prolonged high temperatures — and our homes struggle, too. These heat waves can increase the risk of fires, aggravate asthma and allergy problems, and even melt vinyl or warp windows exposed to direct sunlight.
Common sense tips for heatwaves include staying hydrated, using cold water if you get too hot, and avoiding outdoor activities. But I wanted to delve deeper into practical ways to protect your home, plus the air and loved ones in it, when the worst of the heat hits.
1. Use a portable air conditioner and monitor the room temperature closely
Arlo sensors can do just about anything and are easy to move whenever you want.
Whole-house air conditioners remain very important during heat waves, especially when combined with other cooling methods. But not all homes have whole-house AC, and during extreme heat waves they may not be enough. Another option is a smart portable air conditioner that you can plug in and move from room to room depending on where you’re spending time.
Check out our list of the best portable air conditioners and you’ll find models with remote controls, voice assistant support, timers, dehumidification features, and more. Expect to spend around $400 on a good model that’ll last you through the summers to come.
Important note: Once temperatures rise above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, simple ceiling fans don’t really make a difference, especially when it comes to health issues. It’s important to focus more on insulation and air conditioning in your home.
In many homes, some rooms can get much warmer than others, which doesn’t really help central thermostats do their job. Consider home monitoring devices that can measure temperature, like these all-in-one Arlo security sensors we tested . That way, you can constantly monitor the temperature in a specific spot (living room, bedroom, baby room, etc.) and take action if it gets too hot.
2. Set a strict curtain schedule for your windows
Sunlight streaming through your windows can heat up objects and air in your home, making a heat wave worse. Close your blinds completely during the hottest temperatures for better protection. You can also search for smart blinds and curtain renovations so you can set up automatic schedules to make this process easier.
Once the outside temperature drops significantly below the inside temperature, your insulation will start working against you. So if your area experiences cooler nights, wait for the temperature change and open windows around your home to create cool airflow.
3. Replace your HVAC filter and order an inspection
Kangaroo supplies a climate sensor, also known as a leak detector, in the comprehensive eight-piece home monitoring set.
To prepare for a heat wave, you’ll want to replace your home Heating, ventilation and air conditioning filter, which is usually located right by the fan system that blows air through your home. It’s a good idea to keep several filters of the right size on hand so that you can replace them a few times a year, or whenever you really need efficient airflow.
If you have time, you should also schedule a maintenance visit from a professional HVAC contractor. Among other things, they can test the refrigerant levels in your AC system. Over time, refrigerant can leak and make your air conditioner less efficient. It’s important to make sure you have the right levels for a hot spell.
Read more: HVAC Maintenance Guide: What You Can Do Yourself and When to Call a Professional
4. Install leak detectors and check for leaks
Home leaks are often associated with freezing temperatures when pipes burst in the winter. But heat waves can cause an opposite but similar problem: pipes can expand and damage their valves and other components, also leading to leaks. AC units can also work overtime and leak more than usual into your basement or garage.
Most home security systems, like Abodeoffer leak detector add-ons that you can place in sensitive areas to get alerts or alarms when water is detected on the floor. You can also Eufy standalone units and other brands.
5. Keep your devices outdoors out of direct sunlight
By limiting drafts, the air inside stays cool.
Shade is your friend when placing electrical devices outdoors, such as home security cameras or outdoor sensors — even robotic lawn mowers. High temperatures can destroy batteries, overheat sensitive electronics, and even melt plastic.
So when temperatures start to soar, bring your electronics inside or into the shade until the heat passes. And please be careful where you install your home cameras.
6. Check and replace your draught excluders
Weather stripping is those little strips of felt and rubber that line the edges of windows and doors. It plays a vital role in insulating homes: When it wears out or gets torn, the gaps are notorious for creating drafts. That’s unpleasant in the winter, but during a heat wave, it can suck out all the cool air your air conditioning has created, preventing your home from cooling down completely and increasing the risk of heat-related health problems.
Prepare for heat waves by checking draft excluders and blocking drafts from worn materials. You can Find your own draft strips for a DIY project, but it is important that you choose the right type to match your doors and windows.
7. Find cooler alternatives to cooking
Keep kitchens cool and dry during a heat wave.
Cooking and baking produce a lot of heat in the kitchen, so you may want to limit these activities during a heatwave. That’s why we’ve got a complete guide on how to keep your kitchen cool when the temperatures rise, including prepping meals ahead of time or cooking late at night. This might also be a good time to look into meal delivery services.
read more: Don’t turn on your oven during a heat wave. Do this instead
8. Look for electronics that you can unplug and no longer use
Large electronics can produce a lot of background heat, even when they’re in standby mode. If the heat gets really bad, try unplugging larger electronics altogether. These can include A/V receivers, game consoles, desktop computers, and televisions, depending on what you plan to use that day.
Therefore, do not switch on appliances that produce heat, such as dishwashers and dryers, or at least wait until night, when the temperature drops.
read more: Heatwave: Prevent your phone from overheating in record temperatures
9. Replace your lighting with smart bulbs
Alexa Emergency Assist has replaced Alexa Guard.
There’s another surprising part of your home that produces a lot of heat: your light bulbs, which are terribly inefficient in their use of energy (tap one to find out). Newer LEDs (light-emitting diodes) in smart bulbs produce almost no heat and generally last much longer.
The key is finding high-quality, affordable smart bulbs, which is why you should head over to our list of the best smart bulbs available . Replace those sweaty bulbs with LEDs and your home will feel cooler.
10. Provide easy access to emergency medical services
An echo can help during a heat wave.
If someone appears to be suffering from heat stroke or a similar condition, it is important to seek immediate medical attention to help them. Signs include excessive sweating accompanied by headache, nausea, and disorientation. If someone is showing signs of this, move them to a cool place and contact emergency services. You can also bathe their feet in cold water to help them get relief.
Some home security plans can make this easier. Alexa Emergency Response Plan ($6 per month) is a good option because it works with existing Alexa speakers and lets you instantly call for help and alert family members’ emergency contacts with a command. That can be especially important for older family members who live alone and are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses.
For more temperature control options, visit our guide to the best smart thermostats and check out the best DIY home security systems . It’s also a good idea to brush up on heatstroke safety and how to stay safe when the air quality is really bad.
