Tips to Keeping Your Cool in the Heat

The heat is on this summer and if you can’t find a way to keep your cool on the hottest days summer has to throw at you, you could find your health and sanity at risk. These tips will help you keep your cool no matter how high the temperatures rise inside and out of your home.

Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water this summer. The hotter the weather, the more water you need to make sure you’re drinking. While you’re at it, skip the caffeine you find in sodas and coffee and avoid alcohol altogether, warns USA Today. Opt instead for refreshing water. If you really want to cool things off even more, reach for the ice cubes to add to your water.

Install and Use a Whole House Fan
Whole house fans are incredibly useful for bringing a lot of cool, clean air into the home during cooler hours of the day so that your air conditioner doesn’t have to work as hard when the temperatures begin to take off. It works well to supplement your air conditioner so that heat waves don’t break the bank when they come along.

Avoid Intense Physical Activities During the Heat of the Day
Instead, choose to exercise or tackle chores like mowing, jogging, and other outdoor tasks during the cooler hours of the morning or evening. This helps you reduce your risk of heat-stroke and other conditions.

Avoid Cooking Inside the Home
During the hottest days of summer consider alternatives to turning on the stove or oven. Some possibilities include microwave cooking, using a crockpot, or throwing dinner on the barbecue. While using a crock pot or microwave will raise the temperature in your home a little, it isn’t nearly the heatwave your oven or stove top will produce. Other options include preparing cold sandwiches or salads for these summer meals, and of course going out for dinner.

Wear Loose, Light Clothes
Dress for the weather. If you’re not sure what to wear, consider the latest resort fashions. These are clothes that are designed for comfort in tropical heat. They are typically loose fitting and light in color, and are breathable. For women it may include things like maxi-dresses or other outfits made of linen and other cooler materials.

Above all else, take a little time out of your day, on these incredibly warm days, to check on neighbors that do not have air conditioning, or who are elderly. They are often vulnerable to the changes in the hottest weather and may need your assistance.