For pets that are sensitive to heat, the steamy summer months are more than uncomfortable. Excessive heat and humidity pose a serious risk of heatstroke, a condition that needlessly kills thousands of pets every year.

Observing the following precautions will help keep your pets out of harm’s way:

• Make sure they have plenty of shade all day long. Just because your dog or cat is in a shady spot in the morning doesn’t mean the same spot will be shady once afternoon comes around. Pets also need a cool surface to stand on, as asphalt or concrete can quickly burn the pads of their feet.

• Make sure your pets have plenty of water throughout the course of the day. At the same time, avoid giving them ice water.

• NEVER leave your pet in a parked car. The temperature on dark, leather seats can reach 180 degrees Fahrenheit and hotter.

Would you recognize signs of heatstroke if you saw them? Copyright 2012 . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

At first you’ll notice heavy panting, rapid breathing and bright red gums and tongue.  Once your dog begins showing signs of heat stroke, you should try to cool it down immediately.

More advanced levels of heatstroke include unwillingness to move, noisy breathing, and uncontrollable body functions.

To help your pet recover, the AKC urges you to apply ice packs to the groin area, douse it with water and allow it to lick ice cubes. If your pet cannot be cooled down, take it to an animal hospital immediately.

While the inside of your house will never reach 180 degrees F on even the hottest day of the year, things can get awfully uncomfortable for pets and humans alike should you incur a problem with your central AC system.  To ensure that doesn’t happen, contact Absolute Air today and ask for our AC preventative maintenance service.  We’ll clean and inspect your system inside and out and, in the process, alert you to any problems in the making so they can be taken care of now before causing even a temporary system shutdown.  That way, you get to stay just as cool and comfortable as you like inside your home, even when conditions aren’t nearly as pleasant outdoors.

Heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, occur when your body can no longer cool itself off. As the air temperature rises, your body stays cool when your sweat evaporates. On hot, humid days, the evaporation of sweat is slowed by the increased moisture in the air. When sweating isn’t enough to cool your body, your body temperature rises, and you may become ill.

What is heat exhaustion?

Heat exhaustion occurs when your body becomes over-heated. It can be caused by physical exercise, hot weather, or the combination of both. Heat exhaustion is likely to produce symptoms such as these:

• Heavy sweating
• Weakness or confusion
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Headache
• Rapid
• Dark-colored urine, which indicates dehydration

What should I do if I think I have heat exhaustion?

If you think you have heat exhaustion, get out of the heat quickly. Rest in a building that has air-conditioning. If you can’t get inside, find a cool, shady place outdoors. Drink plenty of water or other fluids. Do NOT drink alcohol or caffeinated drinks (such as soda). These can make heat exhaustion worse. Take a cool shower or bath, or apply cool water to your skin. Take off any tight or unnecessary clothing.

If you do not feel better within 30 minutes, you should contact your doctor. If heat exhaustion is not treated, it can progress to heat stroke.

What is heat stroke?

According to WebMd.com: “The medical definition of heat stroke is a core body temperature greater than 105 degrees Fahrenheit, with complications involving the central nervous system that occur after exposure to high temperatures. Other common symptoms include nausea, seizures, confusion, disorientation, and sometimes loss of consciousness or coma.”

What should I do if I think someone has heat stroke?

If you think you or someone you know may be suffering from heat stroke, call 911 immediately. While you are waiting for medical assistance, take the person into an air-conditioned building or a cool, shady place. Remove the person’s unnecessary clothing to help cool them down Try to fan air over them while moistening their skin. You can also apply ice packs to their armpits, groin, neck and back. These areas contain extra blood vessels close the surface of the skin. Cooling them with ice packs can help expedite the cooling down process.

Is your home cool enough in the summer to help prevent a heat-related illness or to provide fast relief for someone who may be experiencing its telltale symptoms?  If not, contact Absolute Air today for expert advice on how to repair or improve the performance of your AC system.  If you don’t already have them, we’ll show you just how quickly and affordably you can start enjoying all the benefits of whole-house air conditioning.

Take a drive around any neighborhood this time of year and, along with the tulips and daffodils, you’ll notice something else popping up on front lawns – For Sale signs. Yup, spring is real estate season. And if you’re one of the many homeowners currently trying to sell your humble abode, you know how important it is to make sure it stands out from the rest. Luckily, you don’t need to invest thousands of dollars to ensure that it does.

Here are 8 small changes that will wow potential buyers the minute they pull up to check out your house.

1. Make a great first impression. Delight house hunters right from the start by updating your mailbox, light fixtures, house numbers, and doormat. Add a little color with potted plants, and keep landscaping neat and tidy.

2. Make floors shine. You may no longer notice the dingy tile grout or dull wood flooring, but potential buyers will. If possible, refinish hardwood floors and deep clean your grout. Steam clean carpets, and add soft area rugs to cover floors that are in rough shape.

3. Give the impression of more storage. Clear out the clutter and leave about 30% of closets, cabinets, and shelves empty to give the illusion of abundant storage.

4. Freshen the space with paint. Choose warm neutrals like grays or creams for walls, and crisp white for trim work to make it pop. Save your beloved crimson red for your new home.

5. Flood your home with natural light. Make the most of your windows by washing them inside and out and replace heavy room-darkening window treatments with light and airy shears pulled to the sides; or, leave them off altogether if your home has a more contemporary feel.

6. Add inviting accents. Help buyers envision themselves in each room. Set the dining room table for an intimate gathering, place a couple of books and a blanket on the window seat, and set the stage for outdoor entertaining or relaxing with a small bistro set and outdoor area rug on the back deck or patio.

7. Remember, less is more. Remove as many unnecessary furnishings and personal belongings as you can to make rooms feel clean and spacious.

8. Tackle those neglected repairs. If you neglect the small fixes, a potential buyer might wonder how well you take care of the big stuff. Fix the leaky faucets, squeaky door hinge, and loose handrail.

How about things not as readily notice – does that make them any less important to the eventual sale of your home?  Not even a little.  That’s why we also recommend that you have your heating and cooling systems professionally cleaned and inspected before putting your home on the market.  They’ll eventually be included in the home inspection anyway, so why not check them off your list now and put yourself that much further ahead of the game.  Plus, for top professional service and results, contact Absolute Air to schedule service – we’re your local home comfort specialists.