Keep
your A/C “on” in your flat or Villa-set to a higher temperature than
normal but not too hot you will have too much humidity, which will
result in molds and bacteria growing in your carpets and furniture
(destroys them).
Turn off all WATER in your apartments/villas. These could
be found under the kitchen sink and in all bathrooms. Some people have
had rooms/ homes being flooded during the summer as a result
of burst pipes.
If you have a couple of
south/west facing windows that get very hot - Buy a couple of sheets
of polystyrene insulation
(“Styrofoam” for North Americans) and fit these into the window
frames with a couple of holes at the bottom for ventilation. Cuts your
cooling bill at a very low cost
Have someone check your flat or Villa weekly - A/C units break down regularly
and it won’t take too long for molds and bacteria to start if humidity
sets in! This is also a good security suggestion and to check for burst
water heaters. You might also want this person to flush your toilets and sink taps for a few seconds in order to keep
water in the “u” bend in the pipes. This keeps bugs out!
Leave
all interior doors open and your curtains open a few centimeters.
- allows for necessary air circulation to avoid molds
Unplug
your appliances if your house is empty (other than A/C)
(I don' t unplug my Fridge....Leigh)
If unplugged Leave your fridge door, microwave door, and washing machine door open
so the interior will dry out and not mold up (and stink horribly when
you get back)
Invest in an automatic timer if you live in a villa - so your lights will come
on in your villa automatically for short periods of time - this is a
good security precaution. Theft was almost no-existent a few years ago,
but quite a problem now in some villa complexes in Jumeira/Umm Sequim.
Put
a “hold” on your newspaper deliveries
Prepay
your DEWA bill. Take your
May/June bill and multiply by 3 and pay this amount in advance. A/C
can’t work without the “juice” coming in! If you are paying
via Internet just do it whilst you are away no need to prepay.
Prepay your phone bill - Take your May/June bill and multiply by 2 and pay
this amount in advance. If you are paying via Internet just do it
whilst you are away no need to prepay. Etisalat can also have your phone “locked” so no
calls can be charged during the summer. Enquire at your local Etisalat office
Prepay
your Internet bill - 3x your regular bill. If you are paying via
Internet just do it whilst you are away no need to prepay.
Prepay
your car payments - or put enough money in your account for the
automatic cheque withdrawals.
Vehicle(s):
Park
your vehicle in the shade - but not under
a tree (sap droppings do a lot of damage)
Inflate
your tyres above the normal level
to avoid “flat spots” developing in your tires while they are
sitting. Yes this really does happen, and you have to get new tires if
it does! For vehicles which usually have a 28-34 range of pressure, make
it 40+.
Don’t forget to lower them when you get back!!!
Remove your battery and put it in
your air-conditioned flat/villa. Heat “cooks” batteries, and
leaving it in a cool place adds a lot of life to it. Also, you can
simply drop it into your vehicle and it will start right away (won’t
lose it’s charge as easily over the summer)
I
settle for having my car started and run once a week if possible...Leigh
Have your vehicle washed regularly - as a security issue. If you
cover your vehicle, make sure the cover is securely fastened to avoid
abrasion in the wind.
Clean the inside of your car and let it dry completely
before you “seal” it for the summer. Food bits or moisture will
create horrid stinks and molds that you will be able to enjoy for years
to come.
Remove any valuables from your car - as a security issue
Fill your petrol tank
completely to avoid rust forming in the un-filled part of the tank.
If you have a manual transmission - leave the vehicle in neutral and
the hand-brake “off” - do this only if your vehicle is in a secure
place!
Other
Take
blank medical forms with you- hopefully you won't need them, but be
prepared.
