8 Things You Should Never Leave On Your Porch During Summer In The South

As much as Southerners adore outdoor living in the summertime, it can get uncomfortable, or even dangerous, to brave the heat for too long. After a leisurely few hours lounging on the porch, sitting in a rocking chair and sipping an ice-cold sweet tea, it’s important to retreat to the safety (and air conditioning!) of the indoors. That heat and humidity isn’t for the faint of heart and should only be enjoyed in increments.

Just as people must eventually retreat from outdoor living spaces—whether a porch, lawn, or patio—and head indoors, so too must our things. Before heading inside, wrap your outdoor furniture in protective covers to help them endure the weather and be sure to take anything you brought outside with you. But pay special attention not to leave the following things out on your porch in the summer heat. 

Kids and Pets

First and most obviously, don’t leave any kids and pets to fend for themselves on the porch for too long. If you need a break from the heat, you can bet that they do as well, even if their little bodies haven’t registered it yet. Even pets that normally spend all their time outside, like outdoor cats, may need to seek haven from blistering Southern summer heat in the air-conditioned house.

Toys

If you want the kids’ outdoor games to last through the whole season and into next summer, take them out of the heat when they’re not in use. If left out, they can get weathered and moldy from the rain and become home to bugs or allergens. Store toys somewhere shady and cool for preservation so that the kids can enjoy them for as long as possible. Plus, toys left on the porch can double as tripping hazards.

Food

Food can go badly quickly when left out in the heat, especially if it’s not in a shady area. If you bring yourself or guests a snack on the porch, be mindful to take any leftovers back in with you. To keep food as fresh as possible, bring it out of the house as close to you can before serving and then return to the cooler temperature inside once you’re done.

Crumbs and Trash

Once you’ve brought in leftovers, don’t leave food scraps out for too long, either. Food waste after a party or outdoor snacking session can begin to rot and smell, which won’t be pleasant for you or your neighbors. Crumbs and trash may also attract critters to your porch that are better off staying farther away in the yard. 

Lawn and Gardening Equipment

After a day’s use, your garden gear needs to be tucked away out of the sun. Dampness on equipment, if left in the sun, can lead to rusting and corroding. To preserve your tools, clean them off then tuck them away somewhere cooler, dryer, and shadier like a garden shed or garage. 

Shoes

There’s a few reasons why shoes might be forgotten on the porch. Perhaps you kicked them off to put your feet up while lounging on the porch swing. Or maybe they got dirty from working in the lawn, and you didn’t want to bring them in the house just yet. Whatever the case may be, don’t let your shoes spend too long vacant on the porch. In the end, it’ll be easier to clean up a mess inside than to replace the damaged pair left outside.

Outside, shoes can fall victim to the rain, leading to mildew, discoloration, and in general, uncomfortably soaked shoes. An empty shoe can also come to host a creepy crawler. If you do forget your shoes outside, take a look inside the shoe before slipping one on, just in case there’s a spider hiding in there. 

Sunscreen

Once on your skin, sunscreen is meant to withstand the heat, humidity, and sun—at least until it needs to be reapplied. While still in the bottle however, most formulas need to be kept somewhere cool and dry. Check the bottle of your sunscreen to confirm, and be sure to bring it inside with you when you’re done using it. 

Electronics

Forgetting your phone, tablet, or outdoor speaker outside overnight might just be the end of that device. Electronics are vulnerable to water damage, overheating, and even theft when left out in the open. Items specifically designed for the outdoors like an outdoor fridge should be okay staying on the porch, but otherwise, they need to return home with you.