AVOID THE SUMMER SLIDE SUMMER READING PROGRAMS FOR KIDS
Temperatures are on the rise. You may have already flipped the switch on your thermostat to bring cool air into your home, but is your air conditioner up to the task? There are two steps many homeowners forget to take before turning their A/C on for the first time in the spring and summer. Not doing these two things can mean your A/C is vulnerable. They can mean your system isn’t running at peak performance, and they can lead to costly repairs. Even if you’re already running your system, it’s not too late to take action. Clear debris outside. Outdoor condenser units are notorious for collecting debris. Over the autumn and winter months, your A/C unit became cluttered with all sorts of yard waste. They’re magnets for leaves, tree branches, weeds and dirt. Clear out all debris and make sure your condenser has plenty of room to breathe (we recommend at least two feet of unobstructed airflow). This applies to both outdoor condensers and compressors, as well as window- mounted and wall units. Clear ducts inside. In the home, if you have a central air system with ductwork, do the same — check for and clear debris. Your cooling system cannot do its job if anything is getting in the way of delivering cool, refreshing air throughout the home. Be sure to move rugs and furniture that may be covering registers. Families with kids should be sure to check for toys. Open registers and inspect the ducts. Check for signs of dust buildup and mold. These can be signs of improper airflow. In most cases, you may be able to vacuum excess dust, but significant dust buildup, as well as mold, may require a professional hand. In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns about your air-conditioning system, give us a call. As always, we are standing by to make sure you have a cool and energy efficient summer! for a Cool Summer 2 EASY STEPS
Having the kids home from school can be awesome, but how do you keep them busy and mentally engaged? You
might find yourself eyeing expensive summer camps or wondering about private tutors. But that’s not necessary.
Instead, check out some of these great summer reading rewards programs. All these programs are free, they’ll get your kids reading and they’ll give you some time to yourself to boot! The local library is the best place to start. Most city libraries have great summer reading programs that will reward kids for their hard work with prizes, awards and even free books. Libraries are also great places to get suggestions for kids, and they offer fun activities during the day and night that will foster a love of learning and reading — and lead to more ideas on what to read! But libraries aren’t the only places that reward summer reading. National businesses also get in on the fun. Barnes & Noble will give a free book to any child who completes their summer reading triathlon journal (barnesandnoble.com/ summerreading). Chuck E. Cheese will give any child 10 free tokens if they read every day and record their progress on their reading calendar (chuckecheese.com). Pizza Hut will also reward young readers for filling out a passport (bookitprogram. com), and there are other companies that offer incentives. Remember, reading is about more than just learning. It’s also about keeping minds active to fight the “summer slide” that educators dread every new school year. If you want your kids to have fun, stay sharp and win cool prizes, get them involved in summer reading!
2 • www.lewismaclean.com
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