Keeping Cool During the Summer

These summer months can really raise the mercury on the thermometer. The temperature along with the humidity can rise to dangerous levels. In some unfortunate cases, people succumb to the extreme temperatures due to a lack of cool air or dehydration. Every year there are cases of many elderly people found dead in their homes during the summer heat waves. In most cases, these people had no one to check on them and make sure they had air conditioners or fans circulating.

Among the most important things you can do is stay hydrated. Drink as much cold water as you can because as you sweat, you are losing hydration in your body. Drinking cold pops isn't the best idea because pops do not hydrate you. Of course it feels good going down but it is better if you drink water. Want something with a bit more flavor to keep you cool? Buy some sno cones and popsicles to help keep you cool. This is especially good for the little ones who may not drink as much water. Ice cream can be good too as long as you don't have any problems with milk and dairy products.

For those who choose to stay inside on hot days, having air conditioners and fans is about your best bet to staying cool. Minimize the amount of times you open your doors or windows because that just lets hot air in to circulate. Try not to move around a lot since movement generates heat. Also, with all the sunshine outside, you don't need to have lamps and lights turned on inside. Sunlight is free so use it. It doesn't add anything on to your electric bill which is already going to increase with the abundant use of fans and air conditioners.

If you have to cook, try doing it earlier in the day instead of waiting until peak hours of heat. The sooner you can have your oven turned off the better. There's nothing worse than standing up cooking in a hot kitchen when it's 100 degrees outside. It's also important to be sure your refrigerator and freezer settings are up high enough to keep your food as cool or frozen as it should be. Minimize the number of times you open the refrigerator and freezer doors because every time you open them you are allowing hot air to circulate in there.