Top Tips For Staying Cool. 😎

Albus_Scope

Hello my lovely Cool Cats and Chill Chums!
Summer is here, and it's time to embrace the warmth! But, I know, sometimes you just need to find a little respite from the heat. So, here are some top tips to stay cool and comfortable indoors, I apologise for any terrible puns:

• Fan-tastic: Fans are your best friend in the summer. Place them strategically around your home to create a cool cross breeze. For an extra chill factor, place a bowl of ice in front of the fan and enjoy the icy breeze.
  
• Embrace the Dark Side: Close your curtains or blinds during the day to block the sun's rays. Light-coloured curtains reflect the heat better, but blackout curtains are the best choice.
  
• Lighten Up: Swap out heavy, dark bedding and clothes for lighter, breathable materials like cotton. Dark colours absorb heat, so keep it light and bright! Keep it baggy and light this summer.
  
• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water. It's not just good for you, but it also helps to keep your body temperature down and rehydrates you from the extra water loss that will happen through sweating. Sorry, "glowing"
  
• Unplug and Unwind: Electronics generate heat. So, switch off and unplug any devices you're not using, this will also keep those energy bills down. Consoles and high powered PCs are the worst culprits for heat, but they can act as radiators in the winter.
  
• Cook Smart: Avoid using the oven or hob. Opt for cold meals like salads, or use the microwave. Less cooking means less heat! Embrace the season of the cold sandwich. 😁
  
• Night-time Air: Open your windows at night when the temperature drops to let in the cool air, but remember to close them in the morning. Try not to have your windows open during the day, as UK houses are built to keep the air inside, so you'll just be letting all the hot air in and the cooler air will escape.
  
• Breezy Business: Create a cross-breeze by strategically opening windows and doors at night. This allows cooler air to flow through your home, reducing indoor temperatures. This can also work with good fan placement and stops the air getting all stagnant.
  
• DIY Air Con: Fill a hot water bottle with cold water, freeze it and place it by your bed or seating area. Voila, DIY air conditioner!
  
• Oh I Mist You: Keep a spray bottle full of water in the fridge for a quick cooling fix for you or your pets.
  
• Go Green: Indoor plants not only look fab, but they also help to cool your home. They release moisture into the air which can help to bring the temperature down and stop dry skin. But remember to water them too!
  
• Take it Easy: Last but not least, slow down and take it easy. Avoid strenuous activities during the hottest part of the day and make sure you slap on that SPF cream regularly!
  
• Pet Peeves; Don't forget about your loyal companions, they're often wearing fur coats! Chilled snacks can really be a cracking treat in this heat! And make sure you offer them plenty of shade and water, but take care not to add ice cubes to water bowls, as they could be a choking hazard to dogs and cats.
  

Remember, everyone's tolerance to heat is different, especially for those with certain disabilities. Listen to your body and take necessary steps to stay comfortable. Here's to a cool and enjoyable summer! 😎

So what are your top tips for keeping cool? Let us know!

Please note: The effectiveness of these tips can vary based on different factors such as house design, location, and personal preferences. Always prioritise your own health and safety, especially during extreme heat conditions.

Rosie_Scope

Excellent tips here!

I'm sure I've gone on about this before, but I'm a big fan (hehe) of the cold water bottle. Cold water in a hot water bottle. I don't go for the full frozen experience, just nice cold water from the tap. Then you can sit with it comfortably on your body without getting any ice burns.

Stay cool, everyone! 😎

Albus_Scope

Excellent one there @Rosie_Scope ! To stop the ice burn, wrap the cold water bottle in towel. Sorted. 😎

poppy123456

I'll never understand the "keep curtains closed and windows shut" advice during hot weather. There's nothing better than open windows to feel the fresh air around your home. My daughter keeps her windows and curtains shut and I've never felt so hot, warm and stuffy when I go upstairs in her house.

kreacher

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/895026#Comment_895026

i keep my windows closed alot as i'm scared of the 8 legged beasts, i don't want them in

OverlyAnxious

With a south facing window in the main room and nothing to create any shadow, keeping the curtains closed can keep the temperature just hovering around 30c in here. It was regularly 33-35c before I started closing the curtains. It does still feel stuffy but is slightly less bad than it was. Once the sun has passed overhead and is off the window, then the curtains can be opened, and once the heat starts to drop later in the evening, then the window can be opened to let cooler air in. I had to have the window as wide as possible last night until I went to bed. Can only imagine the amount of fauna that's hiding in here now! 😬

Jimm_Scope

Our top floor can get 10 degrees hotter than outside thanks to the sun blazing down on the roof. Sometimes we actually sleep on the sofa bed on the ground floor because it's cooler.

michael57

freeze large coke bottles of water and hang them in front of a fan was a trick i used while milking back in the day

Jeff_dse

Good tips. I will add:

Eat fruits because they have water and fibers. Fibers help to keep water in the body, in the intestines.
eat a little bit more salty because salt help to keep water also.

do not stay upstairs because heat goes up.

I red that to refresh the body, it is good to put an iced bottle of water under your knees. But I never tried.

when it is very hot, too hot for me, I put cold water in my bathtub and I stay laying inside to refresh my body.

onedayatatime

When freezing bottles of water, salt water freezes quicker apparently. 👍 I've a freezer full of random frozen bottles ready to rotate with melted ones. Wet flannels and splashes of water to the face and head 👍 and like @Biblioklept , sitting with a wet dripping tea towel over my head is a common sight 😂

egister

The outside walls and roof should be painted with reflective paint, especially in the infrared range.

ali12345678

Hi I like having windows open to but if I remember I will close them if I'm out or open a little but I always drink lots of cold drinks and like bit cooler baths or showers to cool down