summer safety Archives | Citizens Utility Board https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/tag/summer-safety/ Fight utility rate hikes, promote clean energy, and advocate for consumer protections in Illinois. Fri, 10 Jun 2022 18:19:46 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.2 https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/cropped-CUB_LogoBadgeAlt-32x32.png summer safety Archives | Citizens Utility Board https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/tag/summer-safety/ 32 32 Beat the Heat with Summer Safety Tips https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/2022/06/08/beat-the-heat-with-summer-safety-tips/ Wed, 08 Jun 2022 21:13:24 +0000 https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/?p=34429 The best energy efficiency is energy efficiency practiced safely.   Temperature Safety: Don’t keep your home too hot or too cold to save money– never set the thermostat at a temperature that threatens your health. Efficiency is all about safety and comfort.  Set your thermostat from 76 to 78 degrees for a safe and efficient temperature. Turn the AC off when you leave home unless you have pets or people in your care who need to stay cool.  If you don’t have a cool place to stay, visit a cooling center or public space for a break. Special centers are available in state facilities across Illinois to help consumers stay safe in the summer or winter. Find warming and cooling centers near you. Many of those are open during business hours and Tollway Oasis locations are open 24 hours a day. Also, don’t be afraid to ask a family member or friend if you need refuge from the heat or cold.  Stay Cool  Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Sip about four to eight glasses of fluids a day. Avoid too much alcohol or caffeine, which promotes dehydration. Add a fan to your summer defenses. Set your thermostat at a smart temperature, and then use a fan to help circulate the cool air. Run it counter-clockwise, from your position looking up at it.  Remember fans cool people not rooms, so turn them off when no one’s around.  Need a bit more help to stay cool? Use a spray bottle filled with cool water to apply a refreshing mist on your face. Soak your feet in cool water. Place ice cubes, wrapped in a wet fabric, on your “pulse points,” where the blood vessels are close to the skin: wrists, neck, the insides of your elbows, the tops of your feet and the inside of the ankles. Take a cold shower or bath as well.  Close your curtains or blinds to keep the heat of the sun out.  Try to keep the rooms you use most (i.e. the TV room) the coolest.  Symptoms of Heat Stroke: Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temps and not enough hydration. Heatstroke is more serious and occurs when the body starts to lose its ability to regulate itself. The signs of a heat stroke are: An extremely high body temperature, such as 103 degrees or above Dizziness and nausea Throbbing headache  Rapid and strong pulse If you notice these symptoms in another person, the Mayo Clinic says to call 911 or your local emergency number and then move the person out of the heat and try to cool them immediately (sponge the person with cool water; fan the person and spray them with a cool mist; cold shower, etc.). Outlet Safety: If an appliance frequently trips your electric circuit breaker, disconnect it immediately and have the outlet evaluated by a qualified electrician. Older wiring in buildings may not be able to handle the electrical demand of modern appliances and may cause electrical fires if not maintained.  Extension Cords: Keep portable appliances on extension […]

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