Is global warming giving you heat waves you aren't used to? Some tips from someone used to them:
- CHECK IN ON THE OLD FOLKS. Elderly people and vulnerable people like the mentally ill, disabled, and children, as well as pets, can and do die in heatwaves. Others can too, but particularly the vulnerable. Make sure they are cool!
- KEEP AN EYE ON THE KIDS. Kids get hotter faster and cant always tell they're overheating, but you will see them getting flushed red in the face, and they will become grumpy and tired. Give them lots of water, put them in a hat and sunscreen, let them play in the sprinklers or a kiddie pool. Let them have popsicles! There's more low sugar options now. Get them to take a little break for a book.
- LOOK OUT FOR THE HOMELESS! Give out water, fruit, sunscreen, cold packs, tarps and tents, umbrellas, transit cards, cash, and information in different languages on cooling centers.
- dont leave ANIMALS outside in the heat with no water or shade! Give them a trim if they have thick coats not meant for this. They should only be outdoors if the house is hotter, and if there is shade outside, same as you. If you're hot, so are they. Leave water out if you know there are strays out without a good water source.
- if you can get AC, do it. Ive seen some UK people say its hard and/or they're against it. But sorry, this is your health and safety. Heat waves kill vulnerable people every year. There are safer ways to offset global warming than torturing and endangering yourself.
AC is best in a small room, most people cant afford to cool the whole house so they might just have it in a bedroom or somewhere strategic like that. Some people put it in a central common room alternatively and fan it into nearby smaller bedrooms.
Be careful installing it, ideally with help from a friend and carefully study all the instructions. You dont wanna run into problems like dropping it out a window or forgetting to clean the filter, and they're heavy to carry too. There are also different kinds like floor units.
To save money/energy, you can turn it off at night and/or use energy saver settings. It can zap electricity and throw the breaker so be aware of if you can run other stuff like a microwave or not.
- if you cant get AC there are ways to DIY. A bowl of ice in front of a fan for example. Some people know how to DIY a pretty decent swamp cooler, I haven't done it but Ive seen instructions online.
If you are more fortunate, see if any poor people you know in need will let you buy them an AC and/or fans. Or let someone you trust who is in need hang out at your home. If they're proud, invite them for company.
- During the day, if you need, go to cooling centers and places like libraries, and help vulnerable people to do so.
- Windows closed in the day to keep out heat, open at night to let in cool.
I know your instinct is to want fresh air, but that air aint fresh. Use fans to push the air OUT the window, or if you want it a little open, open the TOP, so rising heat escapes.
A second fan on your body can feel good, but you dont want to be blowing hot air into your home.
At night when the temp drops, open those windows (and turn the fan to blow in) to cool off!
- Use fans strategically to keep air moving! Like I said, blowing hot air out, but you can also have multiple fans keeping air circulating inside your home.
- during the day use a heavy curtain or shade, if availabsle, to cover the window, this keeps the sun out and from heating up the room.
- Sunscreen! And yes, darker skinned people need it too. Even if you like to tan. Reapply regularly, especially considering water and sweat.
- cover your body outside with light fabrics if you can. Unfortunately a lot of Western fast fashion fabrics like polyester and acrylic are bad for heat. Meanwhile in hot places like India and the middle east, you find more light breathable fabrics like 100% cotton.
I think a lot of Westerners from the North don't understand how cooling wearing *more* clothes can be! Because so much of our clothing is designed for Winter. but different clothing does different things!
Yet another reason to not be a racist asshole and to actually learn from other cultures.
- Cover your head and face. ie wear a broad brimmed hat. Ever since I got my keffiyeh to support Palestine I cant imagine getting through Summer without one. It covers my bald head from getting burnt and cools down my face.
- drink lots of water! Especially if you're an alcoholic or caffeine addict. Flavored water is fine. Watery fruit is great.
- if you dont have AC and your home is very hot, especially a British home designed for warmth, the outside may be cooler! These little rooms can trap heat. So go outside with sun protection and hang out in the shade. Put your feet in a little tub of water.
- Put a cold wet towel across your body. Lay or sit on a cool surface, ie not a thick blanket but a cool sheet.
some surfaces like cement absorb and transfer heat in the sun more than others (and same with cold).
- go swimming or take a cold shower or bath.
- use a cold compress or ice pack.
- Put your pillowcase in the freezer for a bit.
- food like cheese and fruits that you may usually keep out, you may wanna refrigerate now
- you can insulate cooler spaces to make them retain that cool better with closed doors or blankets over entries. NOT if this is a hot room, but if you have AC or something that keep that room cool.
Sometimes if you have a little hot bedroom next to a common area that is cooled you may alternatively want to put a fan at your door and blow the AC in. I did this when my roomie had AC but I didnt.
As kids we used to just camp out in the cooled area, whether that was a common area or our parents' room.
- basements are cooler. Heat rises! So hanging out in the basement can help!
- REST! The heat is wearing down your body! take a nap in the shade or AC when you are relatively cool.
limit strenuous activity. Take it slow. (eta: You're not being lazy, you're being SMART and careful!)
- If you can take off work or school, and your home is cool, do it. Or if they are cool and your home isnt, go. See if you can go earlier in the day and leave later, in fact.
- be aware of signs of HEAT STROKE! confusion/delerium, nausea, irritation, flushed face, high temp, headache, rapid heart beat. Cool the person down ie with water and monitor in case you need emergency services.
- eta: skin care tip! you may have areas like your thighs or under breasts that you may want to keep it extra clean and dry and use powder (corn starch works well). Especially if you're prone to skin issues and rashes, like if you're diabetic, a lot of sweat can cause issues. jock itch cream can work on other parts of your body like the underboob area if you do get a rash (talk to the pharmacist). With a rash, you dont want MORE moisture or to lock in moisture but to keep it dry. Wearing fabric like shorts that keep your thighs from rubbing together can help.
- also be prepared to do laundry more often!
