7 Vital Tasks Not to Delay During Louisiana’s Sweltering Heat

It's hot. It's going to stay hot, and all we can do to beat the heat is to keep learning about different life hacks to make things a little bit easier on ourselves.

Even if the heat is blazing outdoors each day, we all have to get to work and do our jobs if we want to earn a paycheck.

We look around and hear most people complaining about hating the heat so much that they don't want to go outside to take care of chores or even maintain their properties. The problem with this way of thinking is that if you don't take care of business, the problem you let fall by the wayside today is only going to get bigger tomorrow.

1. A Crack in a Windshield

This scenario is one that has played out with a colleague just recently. He says a rock hit the windshield of his wife's car, and the impact left a small crack.

When she asked him what he thought she should do about it, he told her it didn't have to be taken care of right away.

Unfortunately, the hotter the temperatures, the further the glass will allow the crack to expand, and that's just what happened. You can see the crack in the picture above. 2020glass.com explains how temperature fluctuations can make a small crack grow quickly.

2. Knowing Whether to Cut Your Pet's Fur.

When you are taking care of the needs of an animal, it can become very costly. Grooming is a natural part of the care and maintenance your pet needs.

When the summer hits, your instinct makes you think it's going to be better for your dog or cat to have their fur shaved. Well, don't do it until you consult with your veterinarian about what kind of fur your dog or cat has, one layer or two.

The ASPCA lays out the whole situation. You can give them a summer cut, but here is what they recommend,

However, it is best to allow a professional groomer to perform the haircutting, and never shave down to the skin or try to cut the hair yourself with scissors.

3.  Maintenance of your AC Unit

Whether you want to get outside in your yard or not, you really need to make sure your air conditioning unit outside is free of clutter, dirt, and yard debris according to Tim's Southern Air.

The northern side of your home is the best place for your air conditioning unit, but if you don't have it on that side, then consider making sure there is some shade for the unit.

You should always make sure there are at least two feet of space around your air conditioning unit so the air can always flow freely. One of the biggest things is to make sure you change the air filter for your air conditioning at least once a month.

4. You Need to Check Your Tires

Checking the tread on your tires is extremely important to prevent major issues like a blowout from happening.

You need to check the air in your tires on a monthly basis according to Ross Tire and Service in Lafayette. It's part of their checklist for tire maintenance.

You also should perform the penny test to find out whether or not it's time to replace your tires. Click here, for the quick and easy way to conduct the penny test.

5. Check Your Generator

Before it's too late, and you have a generator that doesn't work, you better give a little time to making sure your generator is in good working order.

Champion Power Equipment points out that making sure your device is ready to go in an emergency will give you much-needed peace of mind.

You need to check your fuel tank, carburetor, and more. PS Energy Group also offers a thorough checklist of all the things you should consider checking before your power goes out.

6. Check the Battery in Your Car

Did you know that extreme heat can really do a number on the battery in your car? You put your key in and you get nothing. It's important to check the health of your car's battery in this blazing heat.

Many chemical processes inside the battery can lead to the battery losing its charge according to Consumers Reports.

In addition to keeping your battery clean, it's recommended to park your car in a garage or a shaded spot whenever possible to help prevent battery drain.

7. Make Sure You Have Coolant in Your Vehicle

If you don't want to get stuck on the side of the road in blazing heat then you need to take the time to understand what kinds of fluids your car needs to operate.

According to Valvoline Global, keeping your car's engine at a steady temperature is the major reason you want to make sure you check this fluid for your car.

If you are not sure what to do with this, you should consult your car's handbook and a local mechanic who can help you get the job done.