During the pandemic, there is no better way to protect yourself and your family than staying at home. Health officials warn that easing restrictions too soon could result in new outbreaks and advise people to continue working from home and refrain from going outside. If you have plans to go to sunny destinations this spring or summer, you might have to postpone that until it’s completely safe to travel.
However, staying at home without taking preventive measures may still leave you and your family exposed to the virus. To prepare for a healthy and safe staycation this summer, follow these effective tips:
Clean and disinfect your home regularly.
Keep your family healthier by cleaning your living spaces regularly. Now that you have more time to spend indoors, try to keep each room in your house as clean and spotless as possible. You should be able to reach areas or corners you don’t usually include in your daily or weekly cleaning, such as the tops of cabinets, behind toilets, and under appliances. Dust and dirt can accumulate in these areas, which affects the quality of air inside your home.
To prevent the spread of the virus and keep everyone safe, do not forget to clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces in your home. These include light switches, doorknobs, tabletops, chairs, counters, appliance handles, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
Grow indoor plants.
Aside from giving your home a fresh and beautiful look, adding indoor plants can also help improve the quality of air inside your home. A NASA study proved that plants have the ability in reducing levels of pollutants in closed spaces. The definitive list of plants that are most effective at purifying air includes spider plant, golden pothos, peace lily, Chinese evergreen, aloe vera, areca palm, gerbera daisy, chrysanthemum, English Ivy, snake plant, and Rhapis palm.
Reduce heat gain in your home.
The scorching heat outside is another threat to your safety this summer. To protect your family from heat-related illness, make sure your home is properly insulated. Adding insulation and sealing air leaks around doors and windows can help stop cool air from sneaking out. You can also reduce heat gain in your home by closing your window curtains and blinds during the day. According to the United States Department of Energy, heat gain through windows accounts for 25 percent to 30 percent of residential cooling energy use.
Take everyday preventive actions.
Even when staying at home with your family, you should be able to observe safety precautions daily. As much as possible, stay about two arm’s length from other people and wear masks. Cover your cough or sneeze and avoid touching your eyes or nose with unwashed hands. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends washing your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to prevent the spread of germs.
Invest in a high-efficiency air conditioner.
To make your summer staycation in your home more comfortable and relaxing, you should invest in a new AC installation. Old or faulty AC systems will no longer be able to work as efficiently as before, thus consuming more energy than it needs to cool your home. Today’s air conditioner models are more energy-efficient and provide outstanding cooling performance. Aside from maintaining your comfort level at home during the hot season, air conditioners can also improve your indoor air quality. According to the World Health Organization, top-quality air conditioning helps reduce the spread of COVID-19 in indoor spaces.
For your new AC installation at home, only trust the service of a licensed, certified, and bonded HVAC company. Talk to the pros today to get free consultations and estimates!
