Keeping Cool & Safe in Subtropics or Summertime

Budget-friendly ways of keeping the home cool in the subtropics or summertime:

Dehumidifying closet hangers from Walmart, laundry section (2 per closet, changed every month)

Dehumidifying or moisture control kits from dollar stores (2 per room, changed every month)

Install ceiling fans, the energy saver awarded ones

Portable, rotating fans (one per room, placed/mounted at adult face level, standing)

Install insulated, long, heavy drapes
(For children's rooms, get two, full-sized, favorite, heavy comforter/quilts turned into hanging bedroom curtains, at your seamstress/tailor shop) for all windows

Plant native, drought-friendly, hardwood trees on the southside/sunniest areas of the house

Plant tall and wide, drought-tolerant, evergreen shrubs or trees alongside your fencing, and driveway

Consider installing a large, neutral, light beige, UPF 50+ patio shade in your backyard

Paint the house a light, neutral color (e.g. light khaki) to deflect the sunlight

Install lockable, burglar-proofed, double-paned, storm/second doors and energy-efficient, double-paned windows. Check the metro area's Habitat for Humanity shops and craigslist for discounted items, as some are in brand-new condition.

Close the fireplace or woodstove chimney openings in the summer and springtime

Install windowsill, air conditioning units
***Sears has a good selection on a budget, but make sure it's securely anchored, or stabilized/well-bolted in the window frames, plus break-and-enter, or burglar-proofed, especially in the higher-crime cities or college campuses. Hire a carpenter to install it for you.

For the automobiles:

-Flush and refill the radiator, according to manufacturer's recommendations, at your mechanic's shop

-Check your A/C belt and pulley system, at your mechanic's shop

-Install UVA/UVB protection shades onto your back, side windows, available at Babies R Us

-Get UVA/UVB, lightly-tinted auto glass installed (check Groupons and Living Social for discounts)

Get an umbrella stroller and install a portable A/C unit. Retrofit, or attach light-colored, UPF 50+ umbrella shades to all the strollers and car seats.

Install UPF 50+ window and doorway shades onto the house exteriors, with a professional carpenter

Increase the rooftop and siding insulation of the house. Look for fire-proof, sound-proof insulation panels made from recycled glass bottles.

Always stock the daycare bag, and your kitchen pantry with infant Pedialyte liquid, and freezer popsicles for children under five years of age. For infants, mix their infant formula with the clear Pedialyte at the first sign of dehydration, diarrhea or vomiting.

To check for infant and toddler dehydration,  clean your hands with antibacterial handsoap. Then, use your fingertip to touch their inside cheek. It shouldn't be tacky, sticky, glue-y, or dry feeling.

Check their fontanel, or top center of their heads. It shouldn't be sunken in, or flat-looking. This should be checked everyday, three times a day, no matter what the weather. Avoid exposing infants and toddlers to direct sunlight or heat for extended times.

Consider roofed, indoor water parks or recreation centers with adequate lifeguards over outdoor ones. Get bright red, glow-in-the-dark, GPS-tracking, life vests for all passengers, if canoeing, white-water rafting, boating, sea/river/stream/pond fishing or for sailing. Go with professional outdoor guides, especially with children.

For small, autistic, elderly or challenged individuals of all ages, have a GPS-tracking, bright red, glow-in-the-dark wristband and matching, GPS-tracking anklet with contact information on them, because they tend to hide or run away from rescuers, if they're lost hiking or camping.

At home, even while supervised, young toddlers, young children, the challenged, autistic and elderly may unlock and slip out of the house. Hire two, over age 18, CPR and First Aid-certified, mother's helpers and a registered nurse caregiver for them, during times when you run errands, have medical appointments or need a break.

Buy UPF 50+, light-colored, brimmed, infant and children's hats from REI that includes back of the neck protection, on top of a physical sunblock, SPF 45+, zinc oxide, for sensitive skin

Put zinc oxide SPF 45+ physical sunblock lotions, sprays and sticks at every doorway. Apply it 25 minutes prior to sun exposure and reapply it every three hours. This is necessary at high-altitude, year-round, even on cloudy or overcast days. Image brand, Matte, for oily skin sunblocks with 45% micronized zinc oxide from spa/esthecian's shops works well.

Use SPF 35+ chapsticks around the eye areas. Those don't tend to run into the eyes, causing irritation or stinging. Use a separate one for mouths. Keep a sunblock reapplication kit in all daycare bags and all automobiles.

Get any under age five year-old kids' sunburns checked by a pediatrician.

Check all infants and toddlers' ear temperature during summertime excursions. If their eyes look glassy, fontenels appear flatter than normal, or they're acting lethargic, get them to a pediatrician right away.

Invest in a good cellular coverage plan, with young child-friendly cellphones.

Also, invest in two or three sets of walkie talkies, that are: shock-proof, water-proof and can clearly tune in, within a seven mile radius. Train all your children and all hired help, caregivers to use them. Best Buy carries a good selection.

Invest in both automotive and camping cell phone chargers. Also, carry a self-charging, car, van, SUV or truck battery charger for all automobiles in your trunk. Keep a high-quality, spare tire pre-mounted onto a steel rim, adequate for all weather conditions with the right tire pressure.

Have a cellphone with car charger, GPS mapping unit, hardcopy local maps, a few battery-operated, adjustable, bright, headlamp lights, a funnel, engine oil, windhield washer fluid, a jack, tool kit, reflective vest and emergency flat tire changing kit in the trunk.

For three and four year-olds, teach them their phone numbers to the tune of Jingle Bells.

Keep fun art and activity books, portable talking toys, comfort items, a complete change of clothing, three sports bottles, each a liter-sized of electrolyte Smart Water, an extra winter coat, a large/economy-sized refill bag of sensitive skin, Huggies baby wipes, plus a gallon Tupperware container of whole-grain Cheerios in the automobile for all children under age twelve. This helps if anyone gets fussy, vomits or spills anything.