3 Things Minnesotans Can Do To Prep For Incoming Heat Wave

It's been a strange, windy, and cool start to summer so far for much of Minnesota. That all changes starting on Sunday, as much of Minnesota will see temps in the mid to upper 80s through mid 90s for the next 9 days. Along with the extreme heat, strong thunderstorms could also pop up Sunday into Monday. Here are three things Minnesotans can do now to prepare ahead of the heat.

Extended Heat Wave On The Way

Central Minnesota is in for 9 days, starting on Sunday, of above-average temperatures, with highs expected to be in the mid 80s to mid 90s. With the sudden increase in temperatures, things could get uncomfortable for both people and pets.

According to the Weather Channel, the warmer temperatures are also bringing a chance for storms each day, which could lead to severe weather.

The good news is that there is some time to prepare for the upcoming uncomfortable weather. The first thing you should do is check your filter in your HVAC system. An old/dirty filter is going to make your AC work harder than it has to in the heat. A new/clean filter allows for proper airflow and lets your system work at maximum efficiency.

Stock Up On Hydration Items

When the temperatures rise, we sweat more, meaning that we need to replace the water leaving our body, or risk having some health complications like dehydration, or worse. Now is a great time to stock up on items to keep you cool and hydrated. Some items you might want to stock up on are:

• Bottled water stored in a cool place
• Drinks that have electrolytes to replace what you lose in your sweat
• Meal items that are small and cool, like salad or fruit, so you aren't turning on the oven.

Have An Emergency Cooling Plan

With most people running their AC during the heat wave, if you have a catastrophic failure, you'll want a plan to stay cool. All of our area HVAC businesses will be extremely busy, and it might take a day or two for someone to make it out to take a look, and if you need a new AC, that can take even longer to get put in. So what is your plan if that happens?

Some examples of an emergency cooling plan are:

• Locate community cooling spaces such as public libraries, movie theaters, or shopping malls.
• Set up a communication plan with vulnerable family members, older adults, and neighbors to make sure they have what they need during the hot stretch.
• Talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse about what to do in case you take refrigerated medication, and your home loses power.  Ask them, how long are your meds good for?

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Lastly, don't over-exert yourself during the stretch of hot weather, take plenty of breaks, and drink lots of water/fluids. This is especially important for people working in road construction, roofing, or landscaping, as they are in the sun all day long.

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