5 Ways to Beat the Heat (Plus Tips to Reduce Fire Risk)

Earth experienced the hottest day on record on July 21, 2024, and then broke that record on July 22nd. This comes after weeks of headlines reporting record-breaking heat in cities across the country and a climate scientist from the Imperial College London’s Grantham Institute noting a high chance that 2024 will be the hottest year ever recorded.

Of course, we do not really need climate scientists to tell us that it is hot and is going to get hotter in the coming weeks. Most of us have lived here long enough to know just how hot the summers get. Since this one could turn out to be one of the hottest summers ever, let’s look at a few ways to beat the heat.

Increase Shade
You, your family, your guests, and your pets are all going to need more shade for the next few months. The easiest ways to increase shade in your yard include adding umbrellas, installing shade sails, hanging patio curtains or roller shades, setting up portable canopies, or moving seating areas into shade created by fences or buildings.

Create Cooling Stations for Pets
Setting out extra water bowls is a good first step in making sure your pets are safe on hotter days. If possible, keep animals indoors in climate-controlled areas where they will be the most comfortable. When that is not possible, make sure there is plenty of shade and plenty of water. Consider cooling beds and bowls that keep the water cold to help them even more. Smaller animals, such as rabbits, chickens, or small dogs may benefit from mason jars filled with ice for them to lay against to cool off.

Service Your HVAC System
You are going to be using your central air a lot in the next few months. If you have not already, have your HVAC system serviced – or at least change the filter – to help keep your system running smoothly.

Weatherproof Your Home
While you cannot completely heatproof your home, there are several steps you can take to make your home more energy efficient and help keep it cool. Some ideas include replacing old weatherstripping and caulking, adding more insulation to exterior walls, hanging blackout curtains or roller shades, installing ceiling fans or setting up portable fans, upgrading exterior doors and windows, and installing heat-blocking window film.

Install a Drip System
When preparing our homes to beat the heat, we must not forget our plants. A drip system that delivers water at the soil level will help your plants survive the coming heat while conserving water.

Reduce Fire Risk
We are starting to see lots of headlines about wildfires across North America again, so now is a good time to make sure you are doing all you can to reduce fire risk on your property. This includes keeping your roof and gutters clean, trimming your trees, managing weed growth, moving wood piles away from buildings, and creating a defensible space around structures.

If you plan to implement some of these suggestions to keep your family and pets safer and more comfortable, be sure to use local contractors and vendors to help keep the local economy healthy and the community strong.

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AimeeJo Davis-Varela is a member of The Davis Group and a freelance writer specializing in real estate, sustainable home improvement, eco-friendly landscaping, and green living. She is also the owner of Mind Your Manors, which provides second home management services.