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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Summer’s just around the corner, along with the promise of vacation, sun, and unfortunately, scorching temperatures. It’s never too early think about how to protect yourself when temperatures soar. These tips will ensure that you and your family stay comfortable during even the most sweltering heatwave.
Plan your day and dress for the weather
Try to run your errands during cooler parts of the day, usually early morning or early evening. If you have to be out between 10 am and 4 pm, wear loose-fitting, lightly colored outfits. Look for 100% cotton or sweat-wicking material. Skip black or dark blue; they absorb the sun and will make you feel even hotter.
Bonus Tip: Sun protection is a must. Slather on sunscreen 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every 2 hours for maximum protection.
Cool it down with an air conditioner
Don’t despair if you don’t have central air, portable air conditioners are easy to install without any heavy lifting. Plus, it improves your home’s air quality with a dual filtration system that filters out dust and dander. Set on casters, portable ACs can be quickly moved from room to room, so you can save on your energy bill by only cooling the room you’re in.
Bonus tip: Buy your AC now. You don’t want to be shopping (or competing) with everyone else when the first heat wave hits.
Keep the heat out with shades, curtains or blinds
According to the Department of Energy, 76% of sunlight that falls on standard double-pane windows enters to become heat. So, on sunny days, keep your windows covered! Pay particular attention to the side of your home that gets direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day. (This is also not an optimal spot to place an AC as it’ll have to work harder.)
Bonus tip: Insulated blackout curtains are your friend; they block sunlight and so, naturally insulate the room. Plus, they’ll keep your home warmer in the winter.
Stay low
Heat rises, so the more time you spend lounging on the downstairs couch, the better. Science has shown that a hot or just warm bedroom adversely affects our sleep. If you have a basement, it’ll be the coldest room of the house, so sleep there if you can.
Insulate your attic
It’s not just for the winter — keeping your attic adequately insulated will ward off heat during the summer while holding it in during the winter. Though it takes some upfront costs and effort for the initial install, you’ll be much more comfortable. Plus, in the long term, you’ll save on energy costs.
Say no to the oven and stove
It might seem obvious, but using your stove or turning your oven to 425 will heat up your home. Plan your meals so you can minimize baking during hot days. Experiment with no-cook meals like a refreshing salad or consider grilling outside.
Caulk and weatherstrip windows and doors
Poorly sealed windows and doors will leak warm air into your home all summer long. Inspect each window and caulk any gaps you find. Also, check each door and weatherstrip as needed.
Bonus tip: If there are warmer rooms in your home that you don’t use, keep those doors closed, so the heat doesn’t leak into the rest of the house.
Stay well hydrated
Lastly, but most importantly, drink water! Keeping your body hydrated keeps your body temperature down — this is why doctors recommend fluids for fevers. Not a fan of plain water? Dress it up with a squeeze of lemon or a cucumber slice. Or, get a hydration boost from fruits that have high water content like watermelon or pineapple.
Bonus tip: To calculate how much water you need in a day, divide your body weight (pounds) in half then drink that many ounces.
About JMATEK North America
JMATEK North America is the Exclusive Global Authorized Licensee of Honeywell’s portable Evaporative Air Coolers and Portable Air Conditioners, including Honeywell’s Contempo Series.