For all of the northerners that stood up for Texas during our freeze and said, “Don’t make fun of them, they’ve never dealt with this before. Their infrastructure isn’t made for snow and freezing.”
This one is for you.
Where I live 108°F with 80% humidity with no wind is normal.
Pacific North West is dealing historic best waves 35-40°C or 95-105°F.
First of all. Don’t make fun of them for bitching about the heat. Just like Texas isn’t built for a freeze and our pipes burst, Pacific North West isn’t built for heat and a lot of their homes don’t have AC.
- If you live somewhere with a high humidity like 80+ HUMIDITY IS NOT YOUR FRIEND. The “humidity makes it feel cooler” is a lie once it gets beyond a point.
- If you live somewhere with a lower humidity, misters are nice to cool off outside.
- Once you get over 90°F (32°C) a fan will not help you. It’s just pushing around hot air. (I mean if you can’t afford a small AC unit because they’re expensive as hell, by all means a fan is better than nothing).
- If you have pets, those portable AC units aren’t safe. If your pets destroy the outtake thing, it’ll leak CO2. Window units are safer.
- Window AC units will let mosquitoes or other small bugs in. Sucks, but that’s life.
- Now is not the time to me modest. If you have to cover for religious reasons, by all means. If you don’t, I’ve seen people wear short shorts and a swim top. It’s not trashy if it keeps you from getting heat stroke.
- If you do have to cover up for religious reasons, look for elephant pants or something similar. They’re made with a breathable material.
- Shade is better than no shade, but that shit it just diet sun after some point. Don’t think shade will save you from heat stroke.
- I know the “drink your water” is a fun meme now, but if you’re sweating excessively you need electrolytes. Drink Gatorade, Powerade, or Pedialite PLEASE. I don’t care if you’re fucking sitting in one spot all day. That shit WILL save you from heat stroke.
- Most importantly. RESEARCH THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HEAT STROKE AND HEAT EXHAUSTION PLEASE!
Heat exhaustion is more, “drink water and get you cooled off.” Heat stroke is more “Oh my god call 911.”
Be safe.
-fae
Wear a hat and regularly soak it in water. As it dries it will cool your head. Its in the mid 90s here today and my hat is drying out in an hour or so, plan accordingly.
Take your time with tasks Physical activity generates body heat and you do not need more of that.
Good curtains on your windows help keep the sun out and the ac in.
Yes.
If you can afford it, blackout curtains or really thick curtains that keeps the sun out will insulate the windows.
I needed this when I lived in an apartment where my room faced west because the setting sun was too hot and the AC couldn’t keep up.
-fae
Also drink water BEFORE you feel dehydrated. Drink water BEFORE you get hot. Even if you don’t feel like you need water, drink it. There isn’t much to prevent heat stroke, but going into the heat with water in your system will be far better than going into it without water. Avoid soda, coffee, iced/sweet tea, and other caffeinated drinks cuz they’ll dehydrate you.
Another good option is cold watermelon or high water fruits. When I find I’m so hot that the idea of drinking water is gross, melon is what I usually turn to. It’s more interesting texturally and is extremely high water content.
If you are experiencing heat exhaustion, drink cool but not cold water. Too cold will shock your system.
Seconding black out curtains. They’re saving my electric bill rn.
Do not be afraid to pour water on yourself or your clothing. Water evaporating will cool you off. Legit the only reason why I was able to sleep in 95 degree heat this weekend was my soaked shirt.
Also make sure to check your car batteries or tires. Nothing will leave you stranded in the heat easier than a car malfunction, especially a battery. If there is any resistance starting your car, get a new battery asap.
As someone who used to work in the sun:
Freeze a towel or several. Then put them on your forehead, neck, arms, etc..
I’m not trying to make anyone spend unnecessary money but there are cheap handheld fans with water misters.
If you can’t be in a place with a fan or if your car AC is bust, these come in handy. I own two of the first one pictured and they’re really refreshing.
If you HATE the taste of water or Gatorade find flavor packets or drops to add to water.
Freeze treats and toys for your pets if they’re freezer safe. Test the pavement if you have a pet that you walk. If it hurts your hands it hurts their paws!
water with lemon is a good trick and cheap. jug in the fridge, cut up lemons, refill water regularly with the same lemons for days. cool/cold water with a hint of a taste but not overpowering. there’s a removable room-darkening film for windows you can get at walmart or home depot or whereever and it does help to keep your room/house cooler and darker. can even go on original single-pane windows. in the cooler parts of the day, do your cooking and make stuff you can eat cold - pasta salad, tuna, hardboiled eggs, etc. try to keep to foods on the lighter side. can’t afford to make a big fresh fruit salad? get a can of fruit cocktail and put it in the fridge ahead of time. put a couple ice cubes in your cat or dog’s water dishes. brush your pets. the more fur you brush off them, the less they’re wearing in the heat. my mom just got me a bamboo cooling blanket (on sale, of course lol). i don’t know how it works but it DOES if you’re like me and need some kind of sheet or blanket covering even a little part of you to sleep. harbor freight and other places often have cheap synthetic cooling towels that are even better than regular ones frozen.
if you’re not peeing regularly you’re not drinking enough. drink some more.
Bless everyone in this post.
A bowl of ice cubes in front of a fan can be glorious.
erectile-disgruntlement
