How To Stay Cool This Summer With A NewAir AF-520B Misting Fan And More- Giveaway 5/5

I was provided a NewAir AF-520B 18 Inch Misting Fan for the following feature. Regardless all opinions remain my own. All images below are copyright Momma Told Me 2015.

Momma Told Me: The best way to beat the heat is to stay indoors.

Growing up, in Southern California, I spent the majority of my Summer days indoors, confined to the comforts of air conditioning. Momma refused to go outside until shortly before dusk, when the day's heat finally began winding down. At that point we'd often grab out flip flops and migrate down to the community pool where Momma could sit under the patio misters, in the shade, and watch me work out my excess energy in the pool. On afternoons, when I'd get especially restless, a trip to the local strip mall, and it's ice cold a/c was in order, complete with a matinee showing in a nice, dark, cool, theater.

Today, as I listen to my friends, back East, complain about how the snow is finally beginning to melt, and they cannot wait to escape Winter, I am left reflecting on the other half of the country. In Southern states, like Florida, Texas, and the Pacific Coast's California, our temperatures are already climbing towards 100 and the dry heat can quickly become unbearable. But what is the use in being in a warm weather state if you can't enjoy the warm weather and beautiful sun, outdoors?

Whether you're already basking in the sun/hiding in the shadows, or still longing for that first vision of Summer, make no mistake; warm weather is on it's way. Don't get caught hiding indoors when the temperatures start to climb, prepare your outdoor spaces for sunny weather early so you can enjoy the warm weather months when they come. Try these simple tips for outdoor cooling and reclaim your backyard as a personal oasis today;

1. Add Some Shade: In most cases, getting out of the direct sun will cool contact temperatures as much as 15-20 degrees instantly. Consider adding an awning, patio set with tilting umbrella, gazebo, or yard tent to help create shaded areas in your backyard. Also growing quickly in popularity are yard sails. Resembling an actual boat sail, and made of a similar fade resistant canvas fabric, yard sails can be installed with easily mounted stainless steel frames for instant shade structures that quickly go up and come down during the cooler Winter months.

2. Plant A Tree: While this can be a more gradual, but long term, backyard cooling solution, trees also add shade. Many adolescent trees can be purchased at the local nursery and provide sweeping shady spots as well as the subliminally cooling effects of rustling leaves and the 'sound of wind.' If your climate allows, palm trees can make excellent backyard trees for privacy, ambiance, and atmosphere. Dwarf palms will grow no taller than 6'-7' and are often short an stubby, while other varieties of palms can remain pot bound for years until final transition. Adding plants to your backyard should not be done exclusively for shade but also to increase oxygen presence and water retention which will help keep even concrete focused patio spaces cooler over time.

3. Outdoor Misting Fan: If you've ever been to a theme park and found yourself eagerly awaiting the strip of line covered in tarped misters then you know the value of fine water distribution in a hot, dry, environment. Introduce artificial wind to your backyard space with a durable and high powered outdoor fan. The NewAir AF-520B Outdoor Misting Fan is ultra quiet and provides three speeds of cooling both a dry and wet operation. With a tilting head and adjustable height the AF-520B 18" Misting Fan is an affordable and quick cooling solution for any outdoor space with a single unit covering up to 500 square feet in ultra fine,cooling mist. Operation is simple with the included hose hook-up, and extra long power cord.

An outdoor misting fan is also a wonderful, portable solution. The AF-520B can easily be moved from it's grill-side spot on the patio to a misting position poolside. It's lightweight frame is durable enough to withstand outdoor use and water contact, while it's sturdy base stands up to environmental factors like gusting wind. While we primarily use ours on the patio, the fine mist produced by the 3 water nozzles is equally appropriate for the kids to cool off in while playing in the yard, or even lounging in the hammock on a warm Summer day.

4. Go Artificial: If your space doesn't allow for the introduction of new plants and trees, sometimes the best thing to do is go artificial. Opting for 'fake' plants and decor will help cut down your time in the sun providing seasonal maintenance, while still providing the optimal atmosphere for a much needed retreat and oasis.

5. Add A Pool Or Pond: My last tip, and perhaps the most obvious, might also seem like the most most impractical. However, if you are not ready to commit to an in-ground or above-ground pool structure, or landscape pond; consider adding a small table or bird fountain to bring the presence of water to your outdoor space. Believe it or not, the sounds and sights of water, especially moving water, can be just as cooling and relaxing as soaking in the water, itself.

Is it starting to warm up in your part of the world? How do you and your family stay cool outside when the Sun decided to come out to play?

What Daughter Says: Don't let the sun keep you from enjoying your backyard- that's what it's there for! Begin working on creative cooling solutions for your yard, today.

One Momma Told Me reader will win a NewAir AF-520B Misting Fan to help stay cool this Summer.

NewAir AF-520B 18" Misting Fan

It's a warm #Spring day this holiday weekend in #SoCal so we're lounging in the backyard with the @NewAirUSA AF-520B Outdoor Misting Fan! #backyard #tech #OutdoorActivities #photobomb

A video posted by Jenna Marie's (@mommatoldme) on Apr 5, 2015 at 1:54pm PDT