At the beginning of May 2021, the governor issued an emergency drought declaration that included Shasta, Tehama, Trinity and Siskiyou counties. Online forecasts predict a hot, dry summer this year. The last two years have devastated areas around Redding with wildfires during summer months, and this year is no different.
Wildfires bring smoke particulates into the air, affecting the health of Redding residents. (Preferred Carpet Care has an article that discusses how you can protect your family and home from smoke damage.) Although wildfires are a concern, a more pressing issue is the impending high heat, along with the current advisory to conserve water. What can you do to help endure the summer heat?
Steps to Help Endure the Heat and Wildfires
The safety of you and your loved ones is vital. Redding citizens who have lived here for decades might be used to the summer heat and the concerns that come with it. They also know, however, that it’s not an excuse to be complacent. Here are a few suggestions to help.
Stay observant — keep a close eye on family, coworkers and friends, especially when outside. Look for signs of heat illness, including clammy skin, nausea or vomiting, muscle cramps, dizziness, headache, confusion, or a fast, strong pulse. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a helpful chart that lists what to look for and what to do at different levels of heat-related illnesses.
Inspect your cooling devices — if you use an air conditioner, make sure to check its filters in cases they need replacing. (Most need to be changed or cleaned every three months.) That way, you make sure the cool air reaches you. With a swamp cooler, take off the cover and check the pads, the float, and the motor to make sure they are in working order. Turn on the water pump and ensure there are no leaks, and that the air flow is not obstructed.
Clear the area — if wildfires happen this summer, the last thing you want is for your house to participate. Make sure your surrounding landscape cut down low, whether green or brown. If you have any fire fuel like dead trees, branches, needles or leaves nearby, remove them as soon as you can. Depending on your area, maintain a fire break with a radius of at least 100 feet around your home.
Drink plenty of fluids – even though we’re in drought conditions, water is the best deterrent for fires and heat-related illnesses. Drinks like tea, coffee, sodas and alcohol can cause dehydration, so it’s best to stick with water. Add a dose of flavor if you’d like, but keep yourself and others hydrated with water.
Vacuum regularly – remember that your carpet is the biggest air filter in your home. Vacuuming regularly makes sure pollutants and allergens are not hanging around in your carpet. Your vacuum also helps to recirculate the air. Many vacuums on the market today have HEPA filters that collect extremely small particles, thus clearing the air of contaminants. Clean your vacuum filter regularly.
Get professional carpet cleaning after wildfires — the soot that comes from wildfires may contain toxins, especially if buildings were burned too. Eliminate those toxins from your rugs, upholstery and carpet completely with professional cleaning.
All of us here at Preferred Carpet Care offer these suggestions to help you keep safe this summer. We are happy to provide our carpet cleaning services hot or cold, rain or shine. If you have any questions, please give Preferred Carpet Care a call or schedule an appointment online.