Never Leave Kids, Pets in the Car

Acting like miniature greenhouses, car interiors heat up fast in the #summer sun. Never leave children, elderly relatives or pets inside a hot car; all are extremely vulnerable to heatstroke and serious trauma or death can occur within minutes — even if the windows are cracked or it doesn’t seem “that” hot. Keep a bottle of cool water on hand to spritz yourself and your kids on hot summer days, The New York Times suggests, or have them run through a sprinkler or splash — fully supervised — in a pool. #SummerSafetyTips

Protect Yourself Against the Sun

If you plan to be in the sun this summer, take common-sense precautions to protect your skin against overexposure, Northwestern Medicine says. First, choose a sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 30 and UVA and UVB protection; apply it liberally to all exposed areas of the body. Then, wait 15 minutes for the sunscreen to be fully effective before exposing yourself to direct sunlight, and reapply it periodically according to the label instructions. Note that no sunscreen is truly waterproof, however. #SummerSafetyTips

Staying Safe in a Heatwave

There’s an ongoing heatwave in the West, where temperatures soared above 100°F and set new records in places that rarely see sustained temps in the 80s so early in the summer. If you happen to be in a location that’s experiencing extreme heat, be sure to drink plenty of water, People says, and wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. Avoid direct sunlight or wear sunscreen and a broad-brimmed hat when exposed, and limit strenuous activity to avoid heat exhaustion and heatstroke. #SummerSafetyTips

What Not to Store in an Unfinished Attic

When #storing extra stuff in the attic, remember that the area is subject to rapid changes in heat and humidity that can damage the things you want to store, Reader’s Digest says. Excess heat and humidity will ruin photos and fine art fast, as well as dry out wooden furniture and musical instruments. Books and electronics are also vulnerable to rapid changes in heat and humidity. Keep such items in a climate-controlled room or storage unit. To avoid fires, never put batteries, aerosol cans and other flammable items in the attic.  Attics can easily be 40 degrees hotter than occupied areas of the home.