[Download the free Heat Wave Home Checklist PDF here.]
When the temperature climbs past 100 degrees in Yorba Linda, your home becomes your first line of defense. Extreme heat puts stress on your air conditioner, your electric bill, and the people and pets inside.
A little preparation goes a long way. The steps below will help you keep the house cooler, protect everyone in it, and stay ready if the power goes out.
BEFORE THE HEAT ARRIVES
Test your air conditioner and thermostat before the hottest part of the day arrives. A system that struggles in mild weather will fail when you need it most.
Check or replace your HVAC filter as directed, and keep the outdoor unit clear of leaves, debris, and overgrown plants. Restricted airflow forces the system to work harder and cool less.
Close blinds, shades, or curtains on every window that receives direct sun. This single habit can drop the temperature in a sunny room by several degrees.
Choose a nearby air-conditioned backup location now, before you need one. Write the address down where the whole household can find it.
Charge your phones and power banks, and turn on outage alerts from your utility. Set out flashlights, fresh batteries, first-aid supplies, drinking water, and shelf-stable food. If anyone in the home uses refrigerated medicine or powered medical equipment, plan backup options in advance.
KEEP THE HOUSE COOLER
Keep sun-facing window coverings closed during the day. Keep windows closed while it is hotter outside than inside, and open them only when the outdoor air turns cooler and conditions are safe.
Set the thermostat as high as you can comfortably tolerate. Setting it much lower will not cool the home any faster. It will only run the system longer and raise your bill.
Use ceiling or portable fans only in rooms people are actually using, and turn them off when you leave. Fans cool people, not rooms.
Reduce the heat your home generates from the inside. Skip the oven when possible, and delay laundry or dishwashing until the cooler evening hours. Take cool showers or baths, and wear loose, lightweight clothing.
One important safety note: the CDC advises using fans only when indoor temperatures are below 90 degrees. Above that, a fan blowing hot air can raise body temperature instead of lowering it. When it gets that hot indoors, use air conditioning or move to a cooler location.
PROTECT PEOPLE AND PETS
Drink water regularly throughout the day, and carry a refillable bottle with you. Do not wait until you feel thirsty.
Move outdoor work and exercise to the coolest part of the day, usually early morning. Check on older adults, young children, people with chronic health conditions, and anyone who lives alone.
Never leave a child, adult, or pet in a parked vehicle, even for a minute. Interior temperatures can turn deadly in a very short time.
Give pets cool water and shade all day long. Check the pavement with your hand before walks. If it is too hot for your palm, it is too hot for their paws.
READY IF THE POWER GOES OUT
Extreme heat strains the electric grid, and outages tend to happen on the hottest days. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to protect your food.
Use flashlights instead of candles. Turn off all lights except one, so you will know the moment power returns. Unplug appliances and sensitive electronics to protect them from surges.
If the home becomes unsafe, move to your backup cooling location. Contact your check-in person and confirm that everyone in the household is safe.
Write down your household heat plan today: your backup cooling location and route, your primary check-in person's phone number, and a neighbor or relative to check on.
KNOW WHEN TO ACT
Learn the signs of heat exhaustion: heavy sweating, cool or moist skin, muscle cramps, headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, or fainting. Move the person to a cool place, give water if they are alert, apply cool wet cloths, and seek medical help if symptoms worsen or last longer than one hour.
Heat stroke is an emergency. Confusion, slurred speech, loss of consciousness, seizures, very high body temperature, or hot skin with or without sweating all signal heat stroke. Call 911 immediately, move the person somewhere cool, and cool them with wet cloths, cool water, or ice while help is on the way.
CONCLUSION
Your home is likely the largest financial asset you own, and it is also the shelter your family counts on when the heat turns dangerous. A prepared home stays cooler, costs less to cool, and keeps everyone in it safer.
To make this easy, a free printable Heat Wave Home Checklist is available for Yorba Linda homeowners. It covers everything above in a simple two-page plan you can keep on the fridge, including space to write down your backup cooling location and emergency contacts.
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