Hot, muggy south Texas weather can make children tired and cranky and, in some cases, be a health hazard. You can keep children cool and the whole household happier this summer by following the tips below. As a bonus, you will also save energy.
Add Fans
Use ceiling fans, pedestal fans or box fans to keep air circulating and everyone will stay cooler. Even if you have air conditioning, this will cut down on your electric bill because you will be able to adjust the A/C to a more energy-saving setting.
Close Curtains or Blinds
Windows let in heat, especially if they receive hot afternoon sunlight. Block this extra heat source by keeping curtains closed. It is worth investing in thermal curtains or blackout curtains for their greater effect. Doing this reduces heat gain, which keeps indoor temperatures down, reducing your energy consumption.
Break Out the Kid Pool
Small plastic pools are inexpensive and offer kids an easy way to cool off on a hot summer afternoon. If you do not have a pool, cool baths in the bathtub are an alternative.
Keep Cold Snacks on Hand
Drinking cool beverages and eating cold foods helps lower body temperature slightly. Fortunately, most children enjoy frozen snacks and icy beverages. Some healthy ideas include skewering fruit on popsicle sticks and freezing them or making fruit juice popsicles or yogurt popsicles. Fruit juice slushies, made by blending ice cube and concentrated fruit juice in a blender, are also a cold option for hot days.
Dress Them for the Heat
Loose, natural fibers are best for summer because they allow air to flow more freely over the skin, keeping it cooler. On the hottest days, wet the children’s shirts or wet strips of cloths that they can wear around the neck.
For more information on how to keep children cool this summer in the home, contact us today at CCAC, Inc. We look forward to hearing from you.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about summer cooling and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Bildagentur-Zoonar-GmbH/Shutterstock”