You and your loved ones can stay safe by preparing your home for a heatwave.
To get ready for a heat wave in your house:
- Check appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, fans, and air conditioners for proper operation.
- Stock up on supplies of food and medication to last a week so you won’t have to venture outside during a heat wave.
- Make sure you have enough water to drink.
- Keep cool packs in the fridge or freezer to help you cool down.
- Fill spray bottles with cool water to spray on your face and body.
- Assemble a modest emergency kit in case of a power outage, which could include a first aid kit, a torch, batteries, candles, and matches.
- Check your home can be ventilated with cross breezes without compromising security.
- Install, update, or adapt curtains or blinds. Choose curtains with pale linings in rooms that get a lot of sun to help reflect the heat. Avoid dark reflective curtain linings and metal venetian blinds as they absorb heat and may make rooms hotter.
- When it’s hot outside, shade your windows, especially those facing west.
- And lastly, insulate your home to help it stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter by installing external awnings or blinds, shutters, shade cloth, or other materials to block the light from shining on the windows.
