With one of the final weekends of summer approaching, most people are packing their belongings and getting ready for a big move back to school. With that in mind, you must also be aware of the extreme heat that is present throughout our entire nation.

Heat advisories have been issued from up north in Chicago to deep down in the heart of Texas, ranging from a high of 108 degrees in St. Louis, Missouri to 110 degrees in Temple, Texas. For those of you who hear the term "heat advisory" but don’t really know which temperatures that includes, it is issued whenever heat indexes, which are measured by combining temperature and humidity, top 105 degrees in the afternoon and stay around 78 degrees in the evening. A heat advisory is only one degree lower than an excessive heat warning, which is issued when the heat index tops 110 degrees. According to the National Weather Service, the hottest time of the year typically ranges from the third week in July through the middle of August.

With moving in mind, the best defense to beat the heat is simply hydration. Often times people wait until they are thirsty to hydrate, but if you are planning on being outside it is wise to drink multiple glasses/bottles of water hours before you battle the heat. Also, drinking cold water can actually cause stomach cramps- so don’t worry about chilling your water bottle the night before the big move.

Although you may want to look good for the neighbors down the hall whenever you move in, we strongly advise wearing lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitted clothing, with tennis shoes; otherwise you will be miserably uncomfortable. Some signs to be aware of when moving in this heat are: heavy sweating, paleness, weakness, dizziness, headaches, nausea, and/or fainting.

As always, feel free to contact your Asset Plus team if in need of any extra assistance with your move into the community!