Tips to Stay Cool During a Heat Wave with No Air Conditioning

Beth Callahan
Beth Callahan
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These Will Help You Keep Your Cool

Warm weather allows everyone to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. However, not many people remember to protect themselves from warm weather dangers. Heat waves are dangerous for everyone but especially the elderly and children. Some of us do not have the luxury of going home to an air condition
ed home. Keeping your home cool during these extreme weather conditions are not only important for your comfort but for you health as well. Use these tips to keep your family cool during extreme heat conditions.

Fans-

Use box fans in a window with the air intake pulling air to the outside. During the evening you should reverse the fan to pull cool evening air into the house. Ceiling fans should be used to circulate air from opened windows. If you have a box fan you can create a little homemade air conditioning. Set the tub of ice water behind the fan and wait. The cool air will be pulled away from the tub and cool down your home.

Windows-

Windows and blinds should be closed while the sun is up. Keeping windows and doors closed up will allow the house to stay as cool as possible for the longest amount of time.

Head downstairs-

Stay downstairs can also keep your cooler. Heat rises so the upper floors of your household so staying downstairs makes a big difference. If you have a basement you should consider taking breaks during the daytime to get a break from the heat.

Water and Ice-

Water is a great way to cool off. Take a cool bath or shower during the day. You can also soak your feet in an ice bath to cool down. Get a spray bottle that is filled with cold water and spray bursts on your face and neck throughout the day.

Lights out-

Keeping unnecessary lights on in your home can actually raise the temperature of your indoor air. Also avoid using ovens and stoves during the day which can also up the heat factor during a heat wave.

Go out-

On the days that are the hottest you should take advantage of your local businesses that have air conditioning.

Misc.-

 
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Open at night, buttoned up tight and DARK during the day. That's how we handle it. Great article.

Posted on 06/28/2007 at 5:06:00 PM

Great article! We have central air, but don't use it except when absolutely necessary as it is ridiculously expensive.Excellent tips as we head into summer!

Posted on 05/26/2007 at 10:05:00 AM

We have an A/C in bedroom and keep it on a low setting even when not home since it takes so long to kick in otherwise and I heard last year on news that this is recommended by power company. When we lose power I take my kids to a super 8 motel nearby since my eczema is worse in the heat and my son is autistic and needs videos, etc. I usually dunk my head a few times under the tub in cold water to cool off my face, helps also with the hot flashes. This past week we did turn off many lights during CA heat wave and it helped a lot.

Posted on 05/12/2007 at 5:05:00 PM

We have one tiny air conditioner, so we just put it on and stay in that room. It doesn't work that great though! Thanks for the tips. Good article!

Posted on 05/06/2007 at 11:05:00 AM

me and the wife were shocked to see how much a window fan really makes a difference

Posted on 05/04/2007 at 8:05:00 AM

Great Tips Beth!

Posted on 05/03/2007 at 5:05:00 PM

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