Summer heat and dry vegetation can create heat and fire risks in Winston-Salem. Conditions change daily. Check current National Weather Service alerts and local fire restrictions before outdoor activities; this article is general preparation guidance, not a live warning.
Whether you’re spending time outdoors or indoors, taking a few preventative steps now can help protect the people and the place you care about most.
1. Stay Ahead of Heat-Related Illness
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can develop quickly, especially for older adults, young children, outdoor workers, and anyone with chronic medical conditions.
To stay safe:
- Drink water regularly, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
- Limit outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day (typically between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.).
- Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
- Take breaks in air-conditioned buildings whenever possible.
- Never leave children or pets inside a parked vehicle, even for a few minutes.
Confusion, collapse, or suspected heat stroke is a medical emergency. Call 911, move the person to a cooler place, and begin cooling while waiting for help. Do not wait for a temperature reading before seeking help.
2. Don’t Forget About Your Pets
Pets are just as vulnerable to extreme heat as people.
Keep them safe by:
- Providing plenty of fresh water.
- Walking dogs early in the morning or after sunset.
- Testing pavement with the back of your hand first. Pets’ paws are sensitive; if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for them.
- Making sure pets have shade, ventilation, and water.
- Never leave your pets in vehicles.
3. Reduce Heat and Fire Risks Around Your Home
Dry vegetation can ignite from small sparks. Check local burn restrictions and current fire-danger information before outdoor burning or other activities that could start a fire.
Simple ways to reduce your home’s fire risk include:
- Remove dry leaves, pine needles, and dead branches from around your home.
- Keep grills well away from siding, decks, and landscaping.
- Avoid outdoor burning unless conditions are safe and local regulations allow it.
- Properly dispose of cigarettes.
- Be cautious when using lawn equipment that could create sparks.
4. Help Your Air Conditioner Work More Efficiently
When temperatures stay in the 90s, your HVAC system works overtime.
Help it keep up by:
- Replacing dirty air filters.
- Keeping outdoor condenser units free of debris.
- Closing blinds during the afternoon sun.
- Using ceiling fans to improve circulation.
- Setting the thermostat consistently instead of making large adjustments throughout the day.
If your air conditioner struggles to keep up, don’t ignore unusual noises, leaks, or weak airflow. Addressing small issues early may prevent a complete breakdown during the hottest days.
5. Watch for Heat-Related Damage Around Your Home
Extreme heat can also impact your property.
Some things to look out for are:
- Dry or shrinking soil around your foundation.
- Cracks developing in driveways or patios.
- Warped flooring.
- Curling roof shingles.
Catching these problems early can help prevent more expensive repairs later.
6. Have an Emergency Plan
Summer storms and high electricity demand can contribute to outages. Prepare for a loss of cooling without assuming an outage is inevitable during every hot period.
Prepare your household by having:
- Flashlights with fresh batteries.
- Portable phone chargers.
- Bottled water.
- Non-perishable food.
- Prescription medications.
- A plan for where you’ll go if your home loses air conditioning for an extended period.
If Fire or Damage Happens, Act Quickly
Extreme heat often goes hand-in-hand with severe summer storms, electrical issues, and increased fire risk. If your home experiences smoke, fire, or water damage, acting quickly can significantly reduce chances of secondary damage such as mold growth, structural deterioration, or lingering odors.
Our professional restoration teams can assess the property damage, plan suitable drying or cleanup, and help restore your property safely.
Stay Safe This Summer
The best way to handle extreme weather is to prepare yourself, your loved ones, and your home before an emergency happens. By staying hydrated, reducing fire hazards, maintaining your home’s cooling systems, and having an emergency plan in place, you can better protect your family, pets, and property throughout Winston-Salem’s hottest months.
If the unexpected does happen, responding quickly and calling our IICRC certified damage restoration professionals at (336) 776-3630 can make all the difference in minimizing damage and getting life back to normal.
