SUMMER TIME IN YUMA... ARE YOU READY? 5 THINGS TO REMEMBER THIS SUMMER!

 

Ahhh... Summer time in Yuma. It’s almost officially summer time, but for us Yuman’s it feels like it’s already arrived. With the scorching heat, high humidity and thunderstorms that our monsoon season will bring us, there several things we need to be self aware of. Regardless if you’re a long time resident or a newcomer, take a look at our top 5 reminders to make it through summer in Yuma!

1. Service Air Conditioner

Air conditioners are a must in Yuma! Temperatures linger in the mid 110’s for most of our summer days. There’s nothing worse than having your air conditioner go out on a weekend when you are relaxing or have company visiting. It is highly recommended that you service your air conditioner before every summer to reduce the chances of your Air conditioner giving out at the most inconvenient time. Servicing your AC unit will help you identify any underlying issues with your air conditioner, and can even extend the life of the unit.  As part of a regular maintenance, it is equally important to change your air filter frequently, sometimes as often as once a month. Dirty air filters will make your AC unit work overtime, and much less

2. Seal your home

Air leaks during the summer can be a costly problem. Make sure all of your windows and doors have weather seals and are in good condition. Make sure any other potential sources of air escape routes are sealed, such as fireplace, dryer vents, kitchen exhaust, holes on ceilings and walls.

3. Pool Maintenance

Pools are awesome during the summer in Yuma. Swimming is one of the few things us locals take pleasure in doing during the summer. But with great fun, comes great responsibility. The high heat and intense sun can easily disrupt your pool’s chemistry. Algae thrives with high temperatures and sunlight; and Chlorine deteriorates at a tremendous pace. Therefore, it is recommended to check your pool's chemicals and water levels every 2-3 days. If you are busy and short on time, I would recommend hiring a pool maintenance company. Make sure you interview, compare prices, and ask around for recommendations before settling on just anyone.

4. Thunderstorms

Monsoon season can bring some weather excitement to our region at any moment. Thunderstorms can vary in intensity and duration. Some years are more active than others. Winds can be very strong, and rain fall very heavy. Therefore, it's recommended that you make sure your roof is in good condition, free of any water leaks. Securing everything on the exterior that could possibly be damaged by strong winds is very important. Having emergency items such as batteries, flashlights and a generator is also very important (if you have important perishables). Sometimes we can lose power for several hours. 

5. Pets

We all love our pets, they are like an extension our families. Although the following advice might seem like common sense, it’s always good to remind ourselves of the dangers we might put our pets in unintentionally. It’s always a good idea not to leave our pets in a vehicle, even if the A/C is left on. It only takes a very short period for heat to be fatal to our pets. If the air conditioner happens to fail, it could potentially be fatal. It’s always recommended to leave our pets behind at home if possible during these extreme hot months. Another good idea is to install a doggy door, if you don’t already have one. This will allow pets to travel in and out of the home to relieve themselves, without someone manually letting them in or out. Forgetting a pet is outside without the proper water and shade can be fatal as well.

Written by Kenneth Huskey