Checklist for a Stress-Free Summer

We have a checklist to make sure you and your family are prepared and enjoy the summer!

Check Your Home
When temperatures rise, stay cool at home.

Are your doors and windows properly sealed?
Is your air conditioning running properly?
Does your A/C unit need a new filter?
Are rooms properly ventilated? Do you need new, or additional, fans?
Save energy by programming your thermostat (warmer at times when no one is home) or by planting trees and other plants that provide shade.
For more tips to stay cool and save energy, visit www.energy.gov.

Check Your Car
If you're going on a vacation, make sure the following is in order:

Does your car have enough fluids, especially oil and coolant?
How old is your battery?
Are your tires properly inflated? This helps you get better gas mileage.
Make sure you have the following items on hand:
Plenty of water
An emergency kit with flares, flashlight, jumper cables, and basic tools
A first aid kit with bandages, Benadryl, antibiotics, and sunscreen. This is a must when traveling with kids.
A steering wheel cover, seat covers, and window sunshades, which will help keep your car cool and comfortable for driving.

Check Your Relationships
Summer is a great time to reconnect with your kids.

Have flextime? Use your extra hours to take a daytrip with your family or a long weekend. When’s the last day you spent time with your kids doing something special for them?
Don’t have a lot of time or money? Keep it simple:

Play cards – Go Fish and Uno are great for little kids
Enjoy a sunset or catch fireflies
Get wet at the community pool, or just with the backyard hose
Go for a walk as a family or grab an ice cream cone

With a little planning and prioritization, your summer can be enjoyable and stress-free. Remember, it doesn’t matter if you go on a world-class vacation, or if you are just trying to keep cool with some popsicles and ice cream; it’s the little memories you make with your kids that will make their summer enjoyable.

photo credit: Daniel*1977