Newspaper Page Text
PAGE 10A PICKENS COUNTY PROGRESS THURSDAY. JUNE 30. 2022
Guide to [Beat
High temperatures in Georgia raise health concerns
Stay cool, stay hydrated, stay informed
Submitted by N. Ga. Health District
ATLANTA - With temperatures expected
to be in the high 90’s throughout the state for
the next several days, and at times feeling like
more than 100 degrees with the humidity, the
Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH)
is urging Georgians to avoid prolonged expo
sure to the heat and sun and to limit strenuous
outdoor activity to prevent heat related ill
nesses.
To protect your health when temperatures
are extremely high, remember to stay cool,
stay hydrated and stay informed.
STAY COOL
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-
fitting clothing.
• Stay in an air-conditioned place. If your
home does not have air conditioning, go to
the shopping mall or public library or a friend
or relative’s home - even a few hours spent
in air conditioning can help your body stay
cooler when you go back into the heat.
• Electric fans may provide comfort, but
when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans
will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a
cool shower or bath is a much better way to
cool off.
• NEVER leave infants, children, adults,
or pets in a parked car, even if the windows
are cracked open. If you see anyone locked
in a hot vehicle, call 911.
• Avoid using heat-generating appliances
like your stove and oven. Avoid hot and
heavy meals which will only add heat to your
body.
• Limit your outdoor activity to morning
and evening hours. Cut down on exercise. If
you must exercise, take short breaks, and stay
hydrated.
• When you are outdoors, protect yourself
from the sun with a wide-brimmed hat, sun
glasses, and sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher
(the most effective products say “broad spec
trum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their la
bels).
STAYHYDRATED
Drink plenty of water even before you are
thirsty. Don’t wait until you are already
thirsty. Avoid sugary or alcoholic beverages
which can cause you to lose even more body
fluid. Beware that very cold drinks can cause
stomach cramps. As you lose salt and miner
als from your body while sweating, replace
them. A sports drink will help with this.
STAY INFORMED
Prepare for extreme heat ahead of time by
keeping an eye on local weather forecasts.
• Use the buddy system to check on each
other at least twice a day while working in ex
treme heat. Heat-related illness can cause
confusion or loss of consciousness.
• Keep a close eye on those at greater risk
for heat-related illness:
Infants and young children
People 65 years of age or older
People who are overweight
People who overexert during work or ex
ercise
People who are physically ill, especially
with heart disease or high blood pressure, or
who take certain medications, such as for de
pression, insomnia, or poor circulation
If you are at greater risk for heat-related
illness, have a friend or relative call to check
on you twice a day during a heat wave. If you
know someone in this group, check on them
at least twice a day.
Learn the signs and symptoms of heat-re
lated illnesses and how to treat them.
DON’T FORGET YOUR PETS
Any time your pet is outside, make sure
they have protection from heat and sun, and
that they have plenty of fresh, cold water. In
heat waves, add ice to water when possible.
Tree shade and tarps are ideal because they
don't obstruct air flow. A doghouse does not
provide relief from heat—in fact, it makes it
worse.
For more information about extreme heat
and precautions to take to prevent heat-re
lated illnesses, log on to
https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/in
dex.html.
Georgia Power offers tips, tools for customers during first
heat wave of summer
With afternoon high temperatures soaring
into the mid-90s this week across the
state, Georgia Power is focused on helping
customers minimize the impact of the higher
temperatures on electric bills and providing
simple tips to use around the house.
Tips, Tools &
Resources
• Think Thermostat - Heating and cool
ing costs make up nearly half of your average
power bill. Set manual thermostats to 78°F
in the summer for peak efficiency and make
the most of programmable thermostats,
which help decrease energy use based on
your lifestyle.
• Use your Fans - A ceiling fan costs only
about $1.50 a month to operate and will help
you feel cooler without having to adjust your
thermostat.
• Clear Air Vents - To maintain consis
tent temperatures throughout your home,
keep air vents and return-air registers clear of
obstructions such as furniture, curtains and
rugs.
• Trim Plants and Change Filters - To
ensure your unit receives proper air flow,
change filters once a month, or every three
months for pleated filters and trim plants
around your outside units.
• Caulk & Strip - Replace cracked or
peeling caulk or weather stripping around
doors and windows to save up to 10 percent
on energy use.
• Use Blinds & Curtains - Cover sun
facing windows with blinds or curtains to
help limit direct sunlight and heat from en
tering your home.
• Unplug Certain Electronics - Electron
ics account for 5-10 percent of household
electricity use. Save up to $100 a year by ei
ther using an advanced power strip or un
plugging electronics when not in use.
• HVAC System Tune-Up - Hire a tech
nician to ensure your HVAC equipment is
working properly and schedule an equipment
tune-up if necessary.
Other programs to help Georgia Power
customers save money and energy through
out the summer months include:
• A Free Online Energy Checkup - Take
a quick and easy online energy checkup that
provides a customized energy usage report
and ways to save money. Visit www.Geor-
giaPower.com/EnergyCheckUp to get
started.
• Home Energy Improvement Program
(HEIP) - The Home Energy Improvement
Program (HEIP) helps Georgia Power cus
tomers reduce energy use, save on energy
costs and improve the comfort of their
homes. Residential customers can earn re
bates from Georgia Power for implementing
and installing qualifying energy savings im
provements. Learn more at www.Geor-
giaPower.com/HomeImprovements.
• HomeEnergyEfficiencyAssistancePro-
gram(HEEAP)-TheHomeEnergyEfficien-
cyAssistance Program helps eligible
income-qualified customers make free en
ergy efficiency improvements in their home.
At no cost to the customer, a program con
tractor performs the recommended energy ef
ficiency upgrades. Customers can learn more
and apply at
www.GeorgiaPower.com/HEEAP.
Georgia Power is committed to helping
customers save money on their energy bills
and these programs and services can make
homes more energy efficient while keeping
residents comfortable through summer’s
heat.
Find dozens of other energy tips, whether
you own a home or rent at
www.GeorgiaPower.com/save.
Cheshire Heating & Air
HVAC Tips from
Your HVAC units aren’t only essential to your comfort, but they’re also
expensive to replace. Although the average HVAC unit lasts for 15 years,
improper maintenance can shorten that lifespan.
Here are a few things you can do to prolong the life of your units:
• Schedule a tune-up every 6 months. Regular maintenance will keep your
units clean and running smoothly. Have your AC serviced in the spring and
your furnace inspected in the fall to prevent unpleasant surprises in
extreme temperatures.
■ Change your filters regularly. How often you should change your filters
depends on their type and thickness. You’ll typically need to change your
filters once every month or every 3 months. Change them more often if you
have pets.
• Use other means to control the temperature in your home. Ceiling fans
and reflective blinds can reduce the usage of your HVAC systems during
mild seasons.
Let us know if you have any other questions about maximizing the lifespan
of your HVAC units. We understand it’s a big investment! That’s why we’re
happy to provide personalized guidance based on your needs.
From,
Cheshire Heating & Air Conditioning